India’s next agricultural revolution will be powered by artificial intelligence, Union Minister Jitendra Singh said at the AI4Agri 2026 Summit in Mumbai, positioning AI at the heart of farm policy, research, and investment. Addressing the Global Conference on AI in Agriculture and Investor Summit 2026, he said AI offers scalable solutions to chronic challenges such as erratic weather, fragmented markets, and information gaps. Even a 10% productivity gain for 600 million farmers across the Global South, he noted, could become the century’s largest poverty-reduction opportunity. Linking
Riyadh is set to take centre stage in the global artificial intelligence landscape as the Global AI Show (GAIS) opens on June 29, convening world leaders, innovators, and technology pioneers for two days of high-level dialogue and collaboration. Organised by VAP Group and powered by Times of AI, the summit will spotlight breakthroughs in AI, machine learning, and automation while fostering partnerships across sectors. Building on past editions that featured prominent voices from government, healthcare, and digital innovation, GAIS 2026 will deliver keynote addresses, expert panels, and han
Narendra Modi has virtually laid the foundation stone of the HCL-Foxconn joint venture project, India Chip Pvt. Ltd., at the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority in Jewar, Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. The upcoming semiconductor facility marks a major step in India’s pursuit of technological self-reliance and reinforces the Prime Minister’s vision of positioning the country as a trusted global hub for high-end electronics and chip manufacturing. Addressing the gathering via video conferencing, Modi said the project would strengthen India’s footprint in the global semico
Saudi Arabia has unveiled a new solar-powered desert robot capable of planting trees in extreme arid conditions with minimal human intervention. The innovation forms part of the Saudi Green Initiative, a national drive aimed at combating desertification and restoring ecosystems across the Kingdom and the wider Middle East. Powered entirely by solar energy, the robot operates without fuel or external charging, enabling it to function throughout the day using abundant desert sunlight. Equipped with artificial intelligence and guided navigation systems, it can traverse rocky and dry terrain w
Narendra Modi chaired a high-level roundtable with CEOs of leading AI and deeptech startups at Seva Teerth in New Delhi, spotlighting India’s accelerating push to become a global AI powerhouse. The Prime Minister explored how artificial intelligence can transform key sectors such as agriculture, environmental protection, healthcare, space, and higher education in mother tongues, ensuring inclusive and population-scale impact. Emphasising responsible innovation, he called for strong data governance frameworks and cautioned against misinformation, while encouraging the development of AI so
Dubai is accelerating the use of robotics in emergency response, deploying advanced firefighting robots to tackle blazes in hazardous environments. Operated by Dubai Civil Defence, the remotely controlled system is designed for high-risk situations involving toxic gases, chemical fires, and extreme heat. Since the beginning of the year, the robot has been used in real-life fire incidents. The robotic unit can spray water up to 60 metres (196 feet) and pump approximately 2,400 litres (634 gallons) per minute, about 40 litres per second. Equipped with sensors to detect gas leaks and hazardou
The IIT Madras Global Research Foundation will establish its first Applied Artificial Intelligence Innovation Centre at Dubai CommerCity, marking a significant step in advancing applied AI innovation and technology-led economic growth. The Centre aims to position Dubai as a regional and global launchpad for scalable AI solutions. In its initial phase, the Centre will host six applied AI startups with a combined valuation of approximately US$118 million and projected revenues of US$281 million over the next five years. Facilitated by MCA Gulf, a strategic partner of IITM Global in Dubai, th
World leaders converged at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi as the Global India AI Impact Summit 2026 gathered momentum, with Narendra Modi holding a series of high-level bilateral meetings on the sidelines. Discussions prominently focused on advancing the India–EU Free Trade Agreement and expanding cooperation in emerging technologies, energy, skilling, and digital innovation. PM Modi met Alar Karis to strengthen economic ties and explore collaboration in AI and futuristic sectors. With Tshering Tobgay, he underlined the use of AI for sustainable development, reinforcing the enduring India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has outlined India’s vision behind hosting the AI Impact Summit 2026, the first global AI summit in the Global South. He said the summit is guided by the motto “Sarvajan Hitay, Sarvajan Sukhaye”, reflecting India’s civilisational belief that technology must serve humanity and ensure welfare and happiness for all. The summit focuses on People, Planet, and Progress, aiming to make AI inclusive, ethical, and development-oriented. Modi linked AI directly to India’s goal of Viksit Bharat 2047, highlighting its role in healthcare, education, agriculture, an
NASA will attempt once again this week to fully fuel its Space Launch System rocket with more than 700,000 gallons of liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen as part of a full launch countdown rehearsal, known as a wet dress rehearsal (WDR). The operation will begin with a call to stations at the Launch Control Center’s Firing Room 1 on Tuesday, February 17, and will culminate in actual fueling on Thursday, February 19, targeting a simulated launch time of 8:30 p.m. EST. This marks the second full-length fueling test following a “confidence test” conducted on February 12, during which team