AI Wants to Answer Your Phone Now: Equal AI’s $30 Million Bet on the Future of Call Screening in India

Indian startup Equal AI has raised $30 million to expand its AI-powered call screening platform that answers and filters calls on users’ behalf. As spam, telemarketing, and service calls continue to overwhelm consumers, the company is betting that AI assistants will become a new layer between people and their communications. The funding reflects growing investor…

What happens when ChatGPT can shop for you? Inside Visa and OpenAI’s AI commerce vision

Visa’s partnership with OpenAI could mark the beginning of a new phase in digital commerce, where AI assistants move beyond product recommendations to actively participate in transactions. As intelligent agents become more involved in purchasing decisions, businesses may need to rethink how products are marketed, discovered, and evaluated in an increasingly AI-driven marketplace.

ET Most Innovative AI Product Awards 2026: Recognising the AI innovations driving business transformation

As artificial intelligence becomes central to how organisations operate, compete, and grow, businesses are increasingly looking for solutions that deliver measurable outcomes rather than technological promises. The ET Most Innovative AI Product Awards 2026 celebrate the AI products transforming industries through innovation, scalability, and real-world business impact.

AI chatbot’s BMW buy-back offer sparks questions over accountability in automated customer interactions

A customer’s attempt to sell his BMW back to a dealership turned into a lesson in AI accountability when an artificial intelligence chatbot mistakenly negotiated a higher buy-back price than intended. After initially revoking the offer, the dealership ultimately honoured it following media scrutiny. The incident highlights growing questions around the legal and operational responsibilities…

US Stock Market: Retail investor rush sends Wendy’s stock soaring on heavy trading volume

Wendy’s shares experienced a dramatic surge, climbing nearly 29% as retail investors flocked to the struggling fast-food chain. This rally, reminiscent of the 2021 meme stock craze, saw the stock trending on platforms like Stocktwits and Reddit. The significant buying interest from individual traders comes as the company faces sluggish sales and activist pressure, with…

US Stock Market: Barclays, Stifel lift S&P 500 year-end targets on stronger earnings outlook

Major financial firms Barclays and Stifel have boosted their S&P 500 year-end targets to 7,800, signaling strong confidence in corporate profits and the U.S. stock market’s resilience. This optimism, fueled by AI advancements and improved investor sentiment, suggests further upside potential. While inflation and interest rate concerns linger, strategists see earnings growth and capital spending…

Global Market: China’s ‘future industries’ investment boom sparks valuation bubble concerns

China is witnessing a massive surge in venture capital, pouring billions into futuristic sectors like space, quantum computing, and AI. This investment frenzy, driven by Beijing’s ambition to lead in technology and reduce reliance on foreign tech, sees even revenue-less startups attracting significant funding. Investor confidence is high, with new listing rules easing domestic market…