Author: Neel Achary

IIT Roorkee Transfers Innovative Water Purification Technology to JS Aquaritin Global Pvt. Ltd.

IIT Roorkee, Uttarakhand, Aug 21, 2025 The Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee) has successfully licensed a novel water treatment technology to JS Aquaritin Global Pvt. Ltd., further strengthening its commitment to environmental sustainability and technology-driven societal impact.

 The licensed innovation, titled “A microbial consortium for simultaneous removal of major organic pollutants and nutrients from polluted water,” has been developed by Prof. Himanshu Joshi and Dr. Monika Simon of IIT Roorkee. The technology offers an effective and eco-friendly solution for treating polluted water by utilising a specially formulated microbial consortium. It also includes a novel method for the preparation and application of the consortium, enabling the efficient removal of organic pollutants and excess nutrients from wastewater.

 Speaking on the development, Prof. Himanshu Joshi, lead inventor, said, “This technology is the result of years of research aimed at finding sustainable, ecofriendly and cost-effective biological approaches for rapid in-situ remediation of polluted surface water (drains, small streams, ponds, lakes etc.), as an integrated approach for full scale remediation of polluted surface water bodies is a long-term proposition involving high costs. Further, this technology could also be employed for improvement of performance of wastewater treatment plants. We are confident that its implementation will provide a much-needed solution towards phase wise rejuvenation of surface water bodies and contribute meaningfully to the preservation of water resources.”

Mr. Sunil Nanda from JS Aquaritin Global Co Pvt. Ltd. expressed the company’s commitment to scaling the innovation, saying, “We value this partnership with IIT Roorkee and look forward to bringing this advanced solution into action. It aligns perfectly with our mission to adopt science-driven technologies for sustainable water management.”

Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, applauded the development, stating, “This technology exemplifies IIT Roorkee’s mission to deliver real-world solutions through cutting-edge research. The transfer of this eco-conscious innovation reflects our dedication to supporting sustainable industrial practices and improving environmental health.”

Prof. Vivek K. Malik, Dean (Sponsored Research and Industrial Consultancy), IIT Roorkee, added, “We are proud to see this impactful technology being taken forward by industry. Such partnerships not only bridge the gap between lab and market but also enable deep-tech research to address urgent environmental challenges effectively.”

 The licensing process was spearheaded by Prof. S. R. Meka, Associate Dean, Innovation & Incubation & IPR Cell, IIT Roorkee. This technology transfer marks another successful chapter in IIT Roorkee’s efforts to catalyse impactful academia-industry partnerships and advance sustainable technologies from the lab to real-world deployment.

Centre for Software & IT Management hosts panel on AI, Crypto & Social Algorithm in the Future of Finance

Bangalore, August 21, 2025 – The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) Centre for Software and IT Management (CSITM) convened a webinar on “Beyond Intuition: AI, Crypto, and Social Algorithms Shaping the Future of Finance” which attracted more than 170 participants and included pre-eminent finance professionals from the U.S., United Kingdom, and India.The panel comprised Dr. Julapa Jagtiani, Senior Economic Advisor and Economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia; Prof. Raghavendra (Raghu) Rau, Sir Evelyn de Rothschild Professor of Finance at Cambridge Judge Business School; and Dr. Marina Niessner, Assistant Professor of Finance at Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. Prof. Rau is also a distinguished alumnus of IIM Bangalore. The session was moderated by Shivam Srivastava.

AI and Financial Inclusion

Opening the session was Dr. Julapa Jagtiani who spoke on the ways Artificial Intelligence (AI) and non-traditional data are reshaping credit access. “In essence, they are using artificial intelligence to find what we refer to as the invisible prime borrowers – those who are non-prime appearing, but are otherwise not riskier. That’s what artificial intelligence has been doing to uplift credit access, bringing all of us closer to a more inclusive financial system,” she stated.

She noted that bank-fintech collaborations are allowing for more proper pricing and risk underwriting: “When banks team up with vendors of AI solutions, we see more correct pricing of non-prime borrowers. Rather than pricing all as equally risky, AI differentiates who will default and who will not.”

Dr. Jagtiani also discussed the role of stablecoins: “Stablecoins have been used mainly to support crypto trading to this point, but they may play a significant role in financial inclusion because all you need is a cell phone – you don’t need to have a bank account or credit history.”

AI in Finance: Hopes and Risks

Professor Raghavendra Rau gave a critical evaluation of AI models, emphasizing their foundations in classic predictive learning methods and emphasizing both their potential and limitations. He warned that modern AI systems, including big language models such as ChatGPT, are really clever statistical machines devoid of actual understanding. This inherent trait can cause mistakes or “hallucinations,” especially dangerous to employ in high-stakes financial judgments. Though AI has powerful forecasting abilities, Prof. Rau underlined that explainability is essential for regulators and financial institutions to adequately deal with risks in the face of potential regime changes or black swan events Taking a more critical view towards hasty infusion of AI into finance, Professor Rau noted that AI essentially depends on matrix multiplication with weights and thresholds and cannot provide genuine comprehension of financial situations. He cautioned against it, adding that although finance produces enormous amounts of data, customarily regarded as a perfect breeding ground for AI—models are no better than the assumptions and information they are based on. The usefulness of AI in finance should therefore not be overestimated, and its forecasts treated with caution.

Social Media and Investor Behavior

Dr. Marina Niessner noted that financial social media and online narratives significantly contribute to investment decisions more and more. “We find financial social media to have a powerful influence on trading volumes, often contradicting fundamentals. Crypto celebrity tweets, as an example, can trigger bigger-than-8-percent intraday jumps – but conclude with loss of returns on average by followers,” she elaborated. She warned of greater threats to market confidence: “Access to counterfeit or misleading financial content damages investors – but lower confidence in financial markets as a whole and discourages engagement with genuine content.”

 Call for Balanced Regulation

All along the forum, panellists concurred on the need for an evenhanded regulatory agenda that promotes innovation while safeguarding consumers. Transparency, constant model refinement to meet shifting environments, enforcement of disclosures in celebrity endorsements, and regulation of fintech collaborations with banks were named as crucial elements of an effective regulatory agenda in this fast-changing financial landscape.

The IIM Bangalore forum emphasized the urgent nexus of innovative technology and finance, stressing that though AI, cryptocurrency, and social media have

Unparalleled potential for financial inclusion and efficiency, they pose novel risks to be addressed sensibly.

Closing Note

The session ended with an interactive Q&A segment, which touched on topics ranging from the question of AI bias to the prospects of tokenized assets. The session highlighted both the opportunity and pitfalls of algorithm-driven finance and solidified CSITM’s mission to promote discussion at this nexus of technology, markets, and governance.

InfoVision Drives Inclusive Growth with Tech Learning and Skilling Initiatives

Bengaluru, August 21, 2025 : Continuing its commitment to social impact and digital inclusion, InfoVision Inc. has significantly deepened its CSR engagement in India through a portfolio of high-impact, education-led initiatives aimed at empowering underserved communities and fostering future-ready talent.

As a proud sponsor of Young Tinker’s flagship initiative, Tinker on Wheels, InfoVision has helped bring hands-on STEM education to over 1,200 students across Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar. Developed as a mobile innovation lab, the initiative transforms traditional classrooms into interactive, technology-enabled learning spaces where students explore science, technology, engineering, and math through real-world applications.

By making STEM education mobile and accessible, the program is cultivating innovation and curiosity among students—especially in communities that lack access to quality educational infrastructure.

Driving Digital Empowerment Through Desktop Donations

To complement this initiative, InfoVision also distributed desktop computers to schools and NGOs in Bhubaneswar, providing students from marginalized backgrounds with access to essential digital tools. These donations are part of InfoVision’s broader strategy to foster digital literacy and 21st-century learning in underserved regions.

“At InfoVision, we believe education is one of the most powerful levers for transformation. Our CSR efforts are focused on creating inclusive opportunities—whether through digital access, skill-building, or innovation-driven learning,” said Sean Yalamanchi, CEO and Co-founder, InfoVision Inc. “We’re proud to partner with institutions and organizations that share our vision of long-term community empowerment.”

Investing in Rural Talent Through Educational Sponsorships

In partnership with Swadha Foundation, InfoVision is supporting the higher secondary and graduation-level education of 10 students from rural districts in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. In March 2025, the company made an additional donation to equip 20 students from Swadha’s latest cohort with smartphones, bridging digital access gaps and enabling hybrid learning.

Supporting Tribal Education and Local Vocational Training

InfoVision also collaborated with Youth for Seva to distribute training material to 550 girl students in tribal regions—creating access to foundational education where resources are scarce.

Additionally, the company has extended its grassroots impact in Odisha by backing vocational training programs in tailoring and embroidery through a partnership with the Theosophical Order of Service (TOS). Support included funding for materials, sewing machines, and trainers—empowering underserved youth with skills for employment and self-sufficiency.

Key infrastructure donations were also made to shelters including Pratibha Ashram and Anand Ashram, covering essential bedding, furniture, and construction of secure boundary walls and gates to ensure safety and dignity for residents.

From Sustainability to Culture: A Holistic CSR Mandate

In the cultural space, InfoVision has supported art and music education in community centers and government schools, while also backing art exhibitions, concerts, and scholarships—creating platforms for young, emerging talent to thrive and express their potential.

Through these multi-dimensional efforts, InfoVision continues to empower communities across India—transforming lives through education, access, sustainability, and inclusion. As the company accelerates its global growth, it remains equally committed to building resilient, future-ready societies through purposeful corporate social responsibility.

Rise of AI Sends Thousands of Students Racing to Universities Abroad: Insights from Prodigy Finance

21st August 2025: Artificial Intelligence has become the career compass for a new generation. From Tier 1, 2, and 3 cities in India to emerging tech hubs across the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, ambitious students are looking beyond borders to acquire advanced AI and Machine Learning skills that can propel them into careers in Silicon Valley, London, or Berlin. This is no longer just a movement of students; it reflects a broader shift in how global talent is being cultivated.

“AI talent is borderless, but opportunity hasn’t always been. By removing the need for local collateral or a cosigner, we’re helping capable students globally to take their shot at the world’s best AI programs and the careers that follow,” said Sonal Kapoor, Global Chief Commercial Officer at Prodigy Finance.

Government reports highlight that the demand for AI talent is set to accelerate significantly in 2024 and beyond. For instance, as per the White House Council of Economic Advisers’ January 2025 report, the supply of AI-trained graduates is not keeping pace with the rapidly rising demand in the United States.

Supporting this trend, a February 2024 Federal Reserve analysis notes increasing adoption of AI tools across sectors, reflecting a growing integration of AI into the workplace.

Together, these reports demonstrate that AI-related careers will remain in high demand globally, offering robust opportunities for skilled professionals in the coming years.In Europe, the demand for digital talent continues to climb, with EU statistics showing 9.8 million ICT specialists in 2023 representing 4.8 percent of total employment, a figure that grows each year.

In the United States, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects remarkable growth through 2033 in AI-adjacent fields: Data Scientists are expected to expand by 36 percent, Computer and Information Research Scientists by 26 percent, and Software Developers by nearly 18 percent, all well above the national average. Globally, employers anticipate that three-quarters of their workforce will adopt AI tools by 2027, with AI and Machine Learning Specialists ranking among the fastest-growing roles.

According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs, 69 million new roles will be created in the next five years, even as 83 million are displaced, underscoring a profound restructuring of tech-intensive careers.

Against this backdrop, students are increasingly pursuing international master’s degrees at institutions renowned for their AI and ML programs, including Alabama A&M University, Air Force Institute of Technology, Aston University, Bangor University, Australian National University and James Cook University. These programs provide not only advanced technical curricula but also access to global research labs, industry networks, and career opportunities that are not always available locally.

For students, the implications are clear: skills, not geography, determine career outcomes. With AI and ML curricula concentrated in top global universities, international programs are increasingly seen as deliberate career strategies rather than simply academic choices. According to the University of San Diego, with entry-level AI salaries in the United States already exceeding $120,000 and strong growth projected across the UK and Europe, pursuing AI education offers a clear and compelling pathway from classroom to career.

From Capital Allocation to Digital Valuation… Rethinking ROI in Transformation Project

By – Rajendra Chitale,Chief Finance Officer (CFO) Crayon Software Experts India

In the relentless race to digitally reinvent enterprises, the financial management of capital demands a quantum shift from merely allocating funds to re-evaluating how we measure value. The metrics that once defined success, such as purely cost savings, ROI, and payback periods are no longer sufficient in a marketplace where competitive advantage and enterprise value are equally influenced by innovation velocity, data intelligence, and customer experience.

The Evolution of ROI Measurement

Historically, transformation investments were assessed through the narrow confines of return on invested capital (ROIC) and cash flow impacts. In recent times, 81% of companies measure ROI in digital transformation through productivity gains, while organizations adopting more holistic KPIs are 20% more likely to see medium-to-high enterprise value from these initiatives , according to a recent Deloitte study. This broader approach reflects a growing recognition that intangible benefits such as agility, customer loyalty, and brand equity directly influence market valuation.

Market Value as a Core Indicator

Delotte’s analysis of over 4,600 companies’ disclosures reveals that strategically aligned digital investments can unlock up to US$1.25 trillion in additional market capitalisation, while misaligned efforts risk destroying more than US$1.5 trillion. For capital planners, this data underscores that digital transformation is not a discretionary expense, it is an asset creation strategy.

Strategic Capital Deployment

According to a recent IDC report, Global spending on digital transformation is projected to grow from US$1.8 trillion in 2022 to US$2.8 trillion by 2025. However, between 50% and 72% of IT budgets are still allocated to maintaining existing systems, leaving limited capacity for transformative innovation. Organizations achieving higher returns are those prioritizing investments in data analytics, AI, and cloud platforms technologies that deliver measurable operational efficiency and future scalability.

Beyond Financial ROI – Measuring Strategic Impact

Modern transformation projects increasingly deliver returns that are not immediately visible on the balance sheet. These include:

• Innovation capacity accelerating product launches and improving market responsiveness.
• Customer lifetime value (CLV) driven by enhanced experiences and personalization.
• Workforce productivity and retention supported by better collaboration tools and data-driven decision-making.

These factors, while less tangible, directly influence a company’s long-term competitiveness and market confidence.

Risk-Adjusted Returns in Digital Investments

ROI calculations must evolve to account for risk-adjusted performance. Digital transformation carries inherent challenges – cybersecurity threats, regulatory changes, and integration complexity. Without factoring these into projections, organizations risk overestimating benefits. Risk-adjusted ROI models ensure that capital allocation decisions are resilient, balancing ambition with disciplined risk management.

Intangible Asset Valuation in the Digital Era

Over the past three decades, the proportion of intangible assets in corporate valuations has surged from 17% of S&P 500 market value in 1975 to nearly 90% in 2020. Data assets, proprietary algorithms, and brand equity have become critical value drivers. Digital transformation projects often enhance these assets, underscoring the need for valuation models that fully account for their contribution.

The Valuation Narrative – Communicating ROI to Stakeholders

How transformation results are communicated can have as much impact as the results themselves. Investors and boards look for clear, measurable outcomes, productivity gains, customer satisfaction scores, faster time-to-market paired with a compelling narrative. Transparent reporting through quarterly calls, investor decks, and ESG disclosures strengthens confidence and reinforces the perception of long-term value creation.

The AI-Driven ROI Shift

The perception of AI as a high-risk investment has diminished dramatically. In 2020, 70% of finance leaders were cautious about AI adoption, whereas today, only 4% remain hesitant. Budgets now allocate approximately 25% of AI funding to autonomous AI agents, with 74% of leaders expecting up to 20% improvements in both cost efficiency and revenue generation. These numbers highlight AI’s emergence as a quantifiable driver of both top- and bottom-line growth.

Why This Shift Matters Now

Investor expectations are evolving. They no longer evaluate ROI solely on immediate returns, but on the ability of transformation projects to deliver sustained value and market differentiation. Capital allocation strategies must therefore be disciplined yet forward-looking directing funds toward initiatives with clear alignment to strategic growth, customer impact, and market competitiveness.

In conclusion, ROI in transformation projects is no longer about proving that the investment “paid for itself.” It is about demonstrating how it increased the organization’s overall valuation, enhanced resilience, and positioned the business for long-term success. By redefining ROI as “Return on Innovation,” financial strategy moves beyond simple cost-benefit analysis to a holistic measure of digital competitiveness and enterprise growth.