Show Notes
We look back at the Jantar Mantar protests through the lens of media, technology and youth agency. What began as a Chief Justice’s jibe calling unemployed young Indians “cockroaches” turned into a movement that forced a Union minister’s resignation — powered by satire, memes and a 26-day hunger strike, and a social media following that outgrew the ruling party’s own. As the government rolls out fast-track courts, a tougher anti-cheating law and a Nilekani-led task force, the question is whether this marks a genuine break from the past or a repeat of 2024 — when a similar paper leak led to the Radhakrishnan committee's 101 recommendations, many of which remain only partially implemented two years on. Anirban Chowdhury speaks to Dr Anindya Kundu, sociologist, best-selling writer, Assistant Professor at Florida International University, Dr Usha Raman, former professor, Dept of Communication, University of Hyderabad and ET’s Anubhuti Vishnoi on virality, power, protest and reforms. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
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The Supreme Court has set aside Yes Bank’s 2020 write-down of ₹8,415 crore in AT1 bonds. Anirban Chowdhury speaks to Sugata Ghosh of The Economic Times about how AT1 bonds work, why the Court ruled against the write-down, what the judgment means for investors and regulators, and how the case compares with Switzerland’s Credit Suisse AT1 dispute See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
AI agents undergoing tests accessed Indian organisations’ live systems and read confidential business records and personal data. The companies did not detect these intrusions; AI developers disclosed them after internal reviews. What happens when an AI agent exceeds its instructions, and who should bear the consequences? Anirban Chowdhury speaks to lawyer Pavan Duggal and Prof NK Goyal of CMAI about the warning from the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team, the challenges of assigning liability and the safeguards businesses need. From disclosure requirements to protecting sensitive information, this episode examines whether India’s laws and corporate defences can keep pace with autonomous AI. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
As AI becomes more powerful, who gets to shape its direction—and share its benefits? ET’s tech editor Surabhi Agarwal speaks to Google DeepMind’s Chief AI Readiness Officer, Lila Ibrahim, about the tension between rapid development and responsible deployment. They discuss India’s place in the global AI race, the role of teachers in AI-enabled classrooms, and research that could help farmers grow more resilient crops. Ibrahim also reflects on responsibility inside DeepMind, the work around AlphaFold, and the everyday ways she uses AI as a parent. A conversation about preparing people and institutions for a technology already changing their lives. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The rupee has bounced. So why does the RBI seem so worried? Unusually timed announcements, a special dollar window for oil companies and tougher currency trading rules reveal an aggressive effort to arrest the slide. But could making currency protection more expensive leave Indian businesses exposed? Anirban Chowdhury speaks to The Economic Times’ Sugata Ghosh about how these interventions work, how offshore bets influence the rupee and why a lasting recovery requires more than central bank firepower. Is the RBI restoring stability—or buying time? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Blackstone wants to double its India investments to $100 billion in five years. What does Jonathan Gray see that nervous investors are missing? In this episode of ET Conversations, executive editor Sruthijith KK speaks to Blackstone’s president and COO about India’s growth prospects, the market pullback and the sectors attracting his capital. Gray explains why he remains optimistic about AI infrastructure, how Indian IT services firms can become AI deployment partners, and why a rising middle class creates opportunities across healthcare, travel, housing and finance. They also discuss rising interest rates, currency depreciation, private credit concerns and the discipline behind investing conviction. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.