The rapid rise of artificial intelligence is bringing a major shift in the way the world works, and education systems are now facing growing pressure to adapt. Experts believe that traditional methods of teaching, which have long focused on memorisation and textbook-based learning, are no longer enough to prepare students for a future shaped by AI, automation, and digital transformation.

Artificial intelligence has already entered classrooms through smart learning platforms, AI-powered tutoring tools, and automated assessment systems. These technologies are changing how students access information and how teachers deliver lessons. As machines become better at processing data, generating content, and solving routine problems, the focus of education is expected to move towards skills that remain uniquely human, including creativity, critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving.

For many years, education systems around the world have measured success through examinations that often reward students for remembering information rather than understanding concepts. However, the AI era is challenging this approach. With instant access to information through digital tools, students will need to develop the ability to analyse, question, and apply knowledge rather than simply recall facts. Education experts argue that schools and universities must redesign their curriculums to reflect the demands of the modern world. Artificial intelligence awareness, digital literacy, innovation, ethical decision-making, and practical problem-solving skills are expected to become increasingly important parts of future learning.

AI is also creating opportunities to make education more personalised. Unlike traditional classroom models where all students follow the same pace, AI-based platforms can identify individual learning gaps and provide customised support. A student struggling with a particular subject could receive additional explanations, practice exercises, and feedback based on their specific needs. Despite these advantages, experts caution that AI should not be seen as a replacement for teachers. Educators play a crucial role in motivating students, encouraging curiosity, understanding emotional needs, and developing social skills. Instead of replacing teachers, AI is likely to change their role from information providers to mentors who guide students in using technology effectively and responsibly.

The transformation of education will also require significant investment in teacher training. Many educators will need support to understand AI tools and learn how to integrate them into classrooms without compromising creativity and independent thinking. A balanced approach will be necessary to ensure that technology enhances education rather than creating dependence on machines.

Another major challenge is ensuring equal access to AI-powered learning. While students in urban and well-connected areas may benefit from advanced digital resources, many others still face barriers such as limited internet access, lack of devices, and inadequate digital infrastructure. Addressing this gap will be essential to prevent technology from increasing educational inequality. The future of education is expected to be a combination of human intelligence and artificial intelligence. While AI can provide faster access to information and personalised learning experiences, human qualities such as imagination, empathy, leadership, and collaboration will remain essential.

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries and create new career opportunities, education systems must evolve to prepare students for a world that is changing faster than ever before. The challenge is not simply to introduce new technology into classrooms but to rethink the purpose of education itself. The institutions and countries that successfully adapt their education systems for the AI age will play a key role in shaping the workforce and innovators of the future.
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Rockets heading into space are increasingly becoming tools designed not just for exploration but also for improving life on Earth. With the rapid growth of satellite technology, space missions are now focused on delivering practical services such as internet connectivity, communication support, weather monitoring, and emergency assistance to people on the ground.

For decades, rockets were mainly associated with scientific discoveries, defence programmes, and ambitious missions beyond Earth. However, the modern space industry is shifting its focus toward creating solutions that directly benefit communities. A rocket’s journey may last only a few minutes, but the satellites it carries can continue operating for years and provide services used by millions of people worldwide.

One of the biggest changes in the space sector is the rise of satellite-based communication. Space agencies and private companies are developing advanced satellite networks that can provide high-speed internet access to remote and underserved regions. These systems are expected to play an important role in connecting rural areas, supporting online education, enabling telemedicine, and improving access to digital services.

India is also expanding its role in this changing space landscape. The country’s space programme has traditionally focused on using satellites for national development, including weather forecasting, agriculture monitoring, disaster management, and communication services. With the entry of private space companies, India’s space ecosystem is now witnessing greater innovation in rocket development, satellite manufacturing, and commercial space solutions.

Beyond communication, satellites launched by rockets are becoming valuable tools during natural disasters. When floods, cyclones, earthquakes, or other emergencies damage traditional communication networks, satellites can provide critical information and help authorities coordinate rescue and relief operations. Satellite images also assist governments in tracking environmental changes and planning responses to climate-related challenges.

The agricultural sector is another area benefiting from space technology. Earth observation satellites help monitor crop conditions, rainfall patterns, soil changes, and water availability. This information allows farmers and policymakers to make better decisions and improve resource management. The growing importance of space-based services has also created a new race among countries and companies to develop affordable launch systems and advanced satellite networks. Unlike earlier space competition, where success was measured mainly by reaching orbit or exploring new planets, the current focus is increasingly on how space technology can solve everyday problems.

The expansion of space activities also brings challenges. Increasing numbers of satellites in orbit raise concerns about space debris, orbital congestion, and the need for responsible management of outer space. Scientists and policymakers are working to ensure that future space growth remains safe and sustainable.

As technology advances, rockets are expected to become more than just vehicles for space missions. They are becoming a bridge between outer space and everyday life, carrying systems that improve communication, strengthen disaster response, support industries, and help communities around the world. The future of space exploration may not only be about travelling farther into the universe but also about bringing more benefits of space technology closer to people on Earth.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Hindustan Times.

India is working towards strengthening its domestic artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure while maintaining close technology cooperation with the United States, as global competition over computing power and advanced technologies continues to grow. The rapid expansion of AI has made access to high-performance computing one of the most important factors in technological development. From training advanced AI models to powering defence systems and digital services, countries are investing heavily in computing infrastructure to secure their position in the emerging technology race.

For India, the challenge is to build its own capabilities while continuing to benefit from international partnerships. The country is looking to develop a secure and reliable domestic computing ecosystem that can support startups, researchers, businesses, and government projects. India’s technology sector has grown rapidly over the past decade, but the country still depends significantly on foreign suppliers for advanced chips, specialised processors, and large-scale computing facilities. Building domestic capacity has therefore become a key priority as AI adoption accelerates across industries.

A stronger AI infrastructure network could help India create solutions tailored to its own needs, including applications in healthcare, agriculture, education, financial services, and national security. It could also help Indian companies compete globally by reducing dependence on expensive overseas computing resources.

At the same time, India is closely watching China’s technology development model. Despite ongoing geopolitical differences between New Delhi and Beijing, China’s investments in artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, research facilities, and technology companies have turned it into one of the world’s leading technology powers.

Indian policymakers believe China’s experience highlights the importance of long-term investment in critical infrastructure and supply chains. However, India’s approach is expected to focus on developing independent capabilities while ensuring technology security and maintaining strategic partnerships. The United States remains a major partner in India’s technology journey. Cooperation between the two countries has expanded in areas such as semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, defence technology, and critical supply chains. US companies continue to lead in advanced chip design, cloud computing, and AI platforms, making collaboration valuable for India’s growth plans.

India is also aiming to avoid excessive dependence on any single country for crucial technologies. The strategy is focused on creating a balanced ecosystem where international partnerships complement domestic innovation. Technology security has become a major concern worldwide, especially as nations face challenges related to supply chain disruptions, cybersecurity threats, and control over sensitive data. Developing domestic computing infrastructure could give India greater control over important digital systems and reduce risks during global uncertainties.

The growth of AI infrastructure could also benefit India’s startup ecosystem. With better access to computing resources, companies could develop AI models and applications designed specifically for Indian languages, markets, and social challenges. Industry experts believe India’s large pool of engineers, growing digital economy, and expanding technology sector provide a strong foundation. However, continued investment in research, semiconductor production, data centres, and advanced computing will be necessary to turn this potential into global leadership.

India’s emerging technology strategy is therefore focused on balancing openness with self-reliance. While partnerships with countries like the US will remain important, building domestic capabilities will be essential for securing India’s place in the future AI-driven economy. As artificial intelligence becomes a central part of global competition, India’s ability to develop its own computing strength while working with trusted partners could determine its role in the next phase of technological growth.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from AFP.

Ransomware attackers are increasingly shifting their focus towards small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), many of which are rapidly adopting digital technologies but still lack dedicated cybersecurity teams and advanced protection systems. Data from cybersecurity firm Kaspersky shows that ransomware detections among Indian SMBs increased from 3.18 per cent in the first quarter of 2025 to 4.07 per cent during the same period in 2026. Although the rise may appear small, experts say it reflects a steady change in cybercriminal behaviour, with smaller businesses becoming regular targets rather than experiencing isolated attacks.

Cybersecurity specialists believe the actual level of risk could be much higher than detection numbers indicate. Jaydeep Singh, General Manager for India at Kaspersky, explained that such statistics generally capture only the final stage of an attack, when criminals encrypt systems, while earlier activities such as gaining access, stealing credentials and moving through networks often remain undetected. Ransomware has evolved significantly over the years. Earlier attacks mainly involved encrypting files and demanding payment in exchange for restoring access. Today, cybercriminal groups often spend considerable time inside a victim's network, collecting sensitive information, compromising accounts and extracting data before launching encryption.

This shift has made ransomware more damaging because even organisations that recover their systems through backups may still face risks if stolen confidential information is later leaked or misused. Small and medium businesses are becoming increasingly attractive targets because of two major trends. The first is India's rapid digital transformation, which has pushed SMBs to adopt cloud platforms, online payment systems, connected manufacturing technologies and digital supply chains. The second is the rise of ransomware-as-a-service models, which have made advanced attack tools easily available to a wider range of criminals.

According to Singh, ransomware groups are not replacing large enterprises with smaller businesses as targets. Instead, they now view Indian SMBs as valuable victims because many have weaker security measures while still holding important business data and network access. India's MSME sector contributes significantly to the economy, accounting for around 31.1 per cent of GDP, 35.4 per cent of manufacturing output and nearly half of the country's exports. As these businesses become more connected with larger companies, their cybersecurity weaknesses can create risks across entire supply chains.

Cybercriminals increasingly see suppliers, logistics providers, IT vendors and manufacturing partners as possible entry points into bigger organisations. A compromised small business can provide attackers with access to larger corporate networks, making SMB security a concern not only for the companies themselves but also for their business partners. The ransomware ecosystem has also become more organised. Groups such as The Gentlemen, a ransomware-as-a-service operation tracked by Kaspersky researchers, have expanded rapidly by targeting industries including manufacturing, healthcare, IT services, financial services, construction and logistics.

Unlike traditional ransomware groups, modern operators often use specialised tools to study their victims before launching attacks. Researchers have identified malware capable of gathering network information, communicating with attackers and conducting reconnaissance activities long before files are encrypted. Kaspersky's Q1 2026 threat report said The Gentlemen accounted for 9.25 per cent of victims listed on ransomware leak websites, placing it among the fastest-growing ransomware groups.

The growing popularity of ransomware-as-a-service has lowered the technical skills required to launch attacks. Criminal groups can now purchase access, malware tools and support services, allowing more attackers to target businesses with limited cybersecurity resources. Industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, IT services, financial services, construction and logistics are currently facing increased ransomware activity. Experts say attackers are not necessarily interested in what these companies produce but are instead targeting sectors that have become highly digital and interconnected without making equal investments in cybersecurity.

Manufacturing is considered particularly vulnerable because information technology and operational technology systems are increasingly linked. While this improves efficiency, it also creates more opportunities for attackers if security controls are not strengthened. The nature of ransomware attacks is also changing. Criminals are moving away from relying only on file encryption and increasingly using data theft and extortion tactics. Instead of simply blocking access to systems, attackers steal confidential information and threaten to publish it unless their demands are met.

The use of initial access brokers has further complicated the threat landscape. These specialised cybercriminal groups break into networks and sell access to ransomware operators, with remote access services, VPN systems and internet-facing portals often becoming common entry points. Artificial intelligence has introduced another challenge. While fully automated AI-powered cyberattacks are still developing, criminals are already using the popularity of AI tools to trick users into downloading malicious software.

Kaspersky researchers found that attacks disguised as popular AI applications increased significantly among SMBs in 2026. Fake AI tools, including fraudulent versions of widely used assistants, have become a growing method for spreading malware. Despite the increasing sophistication of ransomware campaigns, many SMBs continue to struggle with basic cybersecurity practices. Lack of dedicated security teams, poor patch management, weak backup strategies and limited monitoring capabilities remain major vulnerabilities.

Experts also warn that backups alone are no longer enough protection. Modern ransomware groups often steal data before encrypting systems, meaning businesses need stronger detection, response and data protection measures. Another challenge is regulatory preparedness. Many Indian organisations are still in the early stages of implementing requirements under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) framework, leaving them exposed to both cybersecurity threats and compliance risks. As India's SMB sector continues to digitise, cybersecurity is becoming a critical part of business survival. Ransomware is no longer just an IT problem affecting individual companies; it has become a wider economic risk that can impact entire supply chains and larger organisations connected to smaller businesses.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Busienss Standard.

On the July 24 episode of Open For Business, hosts Andrea Heng and Poh Kok Ing are joined by Santosh Rao, Head of Research and Partner at Manhattan Venture Partners, to break down today's market trends.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

As AI continues to evolve, cyber risks are becoming a major business challenge rather than just a technical problem. The Five Eyes alliance warns that advanced AI models could transform the cyber threat landscape faster than anticipated. With AI being used for both attacks and defense, the question remains: who is ahead in this new automated cyber battle? Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman explore this with Jayant Dave, Chief Information Security Officer at Check Point Software Technologies.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

A prolonged and heated courtroom dispute between tech billionaires Elon Musk and Sam Altman has ended in a win for OpenAI’s CEO. Musk says he plans to challenge the decision. The case has raised wider questions about Big Tech influence and the worldwide competition in artificial intelligence. Lucy Hough discusses the outcome with Guardian US tech and power reporter Nick Robins-Early in a YouTube interview.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from The Guardian.

This discussion reviews the 32 final recommendations from Singapore’s Economic Strategy Review aimed at safeguarding workers from AI-driven disruption through measures like career transition pathways and earlier retrenchment assistance. Andrea Heng and Elakeyaa Selvaraji explore how these proposals seek to raise wages in people-focused sectors such as healthcare and education, while building a more proactive system for lifelong learning, featuring insights from Desmond Choo, Minister of State, MINDEF and Deputy Secretary-General of NTUC.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.