Uzbekistan’s Uzum is proving that Central Asia isn’t just catching up—it’s arriving. The startup just bagged $65.5 million from Tencent and VR Capital, lifting its valuation to $1.5 billion. That’s a major statement. With 17 million users and 16,000 merchants, Uzum’s mix of e-commerce, fintech, and delivery is clearly working. Now, it’s eyeing bigger moves—scaling digital banking, expanding SME services, and going global. Honestly, it’s exciting to see a Tashkent-based startup punch into unicorn territory. Uzum’s rise isn’t just a local win—it’s a signal that the region’s tech scene deserves serious global attention.
Tesla has asked shareholders to approve a $29 billion compensation package for CEO Elon Musk as the company faces an “AI talent war.” The proposal underscores Tesla’s priority to retain Musk’s leadership during a transformative period for the company, with AI playing a crucial role in autonomous driving, robotics, and manufacturing. The move comes as competition in AI innovation heats up, with rivals aggressively pursuing top technical talent worldwide.
Healthtech platform Practo has reported a profitable fiscal year 2025 and announced intentions to expand internationally. The platform credits its turnaround to increased efficiency, rapid digitization of healthcare services, and strong domestic demand. Practo’s management says global expansion will focus on markets where digital health adoption is accelerating. This milestone highlights India’s healthtech sector’s resilience and growing influence beyond national borders.
Demis Hassabis, CEO of DeepMind, has stated that artificial intelligence is poised to create an impact that is potentially ten times greater and faster than the Industrial Revolution. In a recent interview, he emphasized AI’s vast ability to rapidly reshape both society and the business world. Hassabis also stressed the importance of implementing balanced regulations and forward-thinking strategies to manage these changes effectively. His remarks highlight the ongoing discussions around generative AI, underlining how its speed and magnitude of disruption surpass those of previous technological breakthroughs.
Joby Aviation, a leader in urban air mobility, is reportedly considering the acquisition of Blade Air, an air mobility and travel brand. The potential deal could boost Joby’s presence in air taxi services and expand its urban-flight network. Industry sources suggest the move could fast-track efforts to commercialize eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) flights and strengthen Joby’s competitive positioning as cities prepare for next-generation air transport solutions. No official statements have been made, and talks are ongoing.
Airtel has unveiled its new sovereign cloud and AI platform, targeting enterprise and government clients who require strict data localization and privacy compliance. The platform promises robust security, seamless deployment, and industry-leading AI capabilities designed for Indian regulatory standards. Airtel’s move underscores growing demand for local cloud solutions as businesses accelerate digital transformation and rely more on AI-driven insights. The telecom giant aims to position itself as a leading one-stop solution for cloud infrastructure and artificial intelligence in the Indian market.
A new leak suggests the PlayStation 6 could offer triple the rasterization and 3D rendering performance of the PS5, all at a starting price of $499. The rumor, supposedly based on a leaked AMD presentation to Sony, points to PS4 and PS5 backwards compatibility, and manufacturing starting in mid-2027. Sony is also said to be working on a handheld companion device with advanced features like haptics and dual mics. While these specs aren’t confirmed, Sony’s strategy seems focused on value and maintaining a competitive edge in pricing for its next-gen console launch window, expected between late 2027 and early 2028.
Apple is gearing up to shake things up in the AI world with a brand-new ChatGPT-style AI feature launching alongside the iPhone 17. With tech giants like OpenAI and Google already making waves, Apple is ready to bring its own spin on smart, conversational AI right to your pocket.
Reports reveal that Apple has quietly set up a dedicated team—called the “Answers” or “AKI” team—tasked with creating an AI answer engine that goes beyond basic voice commands. This AI will make it easier and more natural for you to get answers, whether you’re chatting with Siri, searching with Spotlight, or browsing in Safari. Instead of typing keywords, you’ll be able to ask questions in everyday language and get detailed, helpful responses in real-time.
What sets Apple apart is its strong focus on privacy. Most of the AI work will happen directly on your iPhone, keeping your data safe and private. And if your question needs extra processing in the cloud, Apple will always ask for your consent before sending any personal info. This privacy-first approach is a game-changer compared to other AI tools that often send data to external servers.
While some of these AI upgrades will arrive gradually—Siri’s big AI overhaul is expected to roll out through 2026—the iPhone 17 will showcase some of Apple’s exciting new AI capabilities. This means your next iPhone won’t just be a phone; it will be your smart assistant, creative partner, and personal guide, all while keeping your privacy front and center.
In short, Apple’s AI on the iPhone 17 looks set to change how we interact with our devices, making things more intuitive, helpful, and secure. It’s an exciting leap toward smarter, more personal technology that just might redefine what we expect from our phones.
Indian mobile gaming platform STAN has raised $8.5 million in a Series A round led by Google’s AI Futures Fund and top Japanese gaming firms. With 25 million downloads and rapid product-driven growth, STAN now supports 5.5 million monthly users and has scaled revenues to $7.87 million in FY25. The funding will support expansion to other mobile-first markets and boost its AI-powered personalization and blockchain-based gamer profiles. In a booming Indian gaming market expected to hit $9.1 billion by 2029, STAN stands out with voice clubs and mobile-focused features targeting tier-2/3 cities.
Reddit is intensifying its ambition to become a primary search engine by unifying its traditional search with Reddit Answers, an AI-powered Q&A tool now serving 6 million users across a dozen countries. CEO Steve Huffman announced that a newly prominent search box and global rollout of Reddit Answers are core to this plan, leveraging Reddit’s vast community-generated knowledge. With over 70 million weekly search users, the company’s Q2 revenue soared 78% to $500 million, driven mainly by ads and new AI-powered marketing tools that let brands tap into real-time community trends and sentiments, strengthening Reddit’s position in the search and advertising landscape
