In Focus-Parley | Is the Artificial Intelligence boom a bubble?

Global spending on Artificial Intelligence (AI) is projected to reach $375 billion this year and and $500 billion by 2026, according to the UBS. That raises a fundamental question: is AI’s value being driven by genuine technological progress, or by investor enthusiasm racing ahead of reality? Is the AI boom a bubble? Guests: Bhagwan Chowdhry and Anoop Kunchukuttan Host: Areena Arora Edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the 21st of November, the government of India has brought in 4 labour codes to reform and replace the 29 existing laws in the country They are Code on Wages, Code on Industrial Relations, Code on Social Security and Code on Occupation Safety, Health and working conditions. The government is touting these labour codes as India’s biggest labour reforms—brought in nearly eight decades after Independence and over five years it was passed in the parliament. These codes seek to ease work regulations, expand social security, and bring greater uniformity to wage structures. However, on 26th November, the Left parties in the country took to the streets to protest these reforms citing them as “anti-labour”. So, why are the left parties opposing these reforms? What are the changes brought by the four labour codes and how do they reshape the future of labour in India? Guest: Venkatesh B. Athreya, economist, and former head of department, Bharathidhasan University Host: Bhagavathi Sampath K J Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For years, India’s political debates, parliamentary discussions, and health-policy arguments have leaned heavily on a simple figure of one doctor per 1000 people supposedly set by the World Health Organization or WHO But the WHO in a written reply to the Hindu has clarified that it has never actually recommended this ratio. This episode breaks down the history behind the 1:1000 myth, examines the WHO’s current SDG-linked framework for assessing health worker availability, and explores why India’s own data paints a far more uneven picture — from rural-urban gaps to ongoing disputes over counting AYUSH doctors. Guest: Siddhesh Zadey, health-systems researcher and co-founder of the Association for Socially Applicable Research (ASAR) Host: Devyanshi Bihani Edited by Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In its recent assessment, the International Monetary Fund India’s national accounts statistics, which includes key figures such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross Value Added (GVA), a grade of ‘C’, the second-lowest grade there is. “National accounts data are available at adequate frequency and timeliness and provide broadly adequate granularity,” the IMF noted, adding, “However, some methodological weaknesses somewhat hamper surveillance and warrant an overall sectoral rating for the national accounts of C.” At a time when the government is celebrating 8.2% GDP growth, this grade has sparked uncomfortable questions. What is the IMF saying and is India truly growing as fast as the government claims?  Guest: Prof. B. Bhagwan Das, Former Associate Professor of Economics, Loyola College, Chennai Host: Nivedita V Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It will soon be four years since Russia invaded Ukraine. As the conflict drags on, neither side seems ready for a compromise. But President Donald Trump has been pushing for a peace deal. He recently released a 28-point peace plan. It basically asks Ukraine to cede territory it has already lost in exchange for security guarantees. But Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly ruled out giving up territory. He has also been talking of a revised peace plan. But Trump is impatient for a ceasefire. He is applying pressure on both sides to come to an agreement. What is at stake for the different parties involved, and what are the chances of a deal being reached? Guest: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu Host: G. Sampath Edited and produced by Sharmada venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Indigo’s mass cancellations have disrupted the lives of thousands of passengers. This company is not a newbie or a start-up. It is India’s largest airline, with 60% market share. In Financial Year 2024, it returned a profit of ₹8,000 crores. So, finances were not a concern.  Yet, it did not invest in preparing for the new Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms that kicked in from November 1. Following the mess with the cancellations, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has now created special Oversight Team which will be stationed at the Indigo headquarters and audit its operations.  Why didn’t Indigo prepare for the new FDTL norms? Could this operational crisis have been averted if it had hired pilots on time? Or is it true, as some analysts are claiming, that India’s aviation sector is inherently uncompetitive, and the odds are stacked against the airlines? We get to the bottom of the Indigo fiasco in this InFocus episode.  Guest: Jagriti Chandra, The Hindu’s aviation correspondent. Host: G. Sampath Edited and produced by Sharmada venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Over the last few days, the rupee exchange rate has fallen below ₹90 a dollar and has largely stayed at that level. Now, with Parliament running, a lot of the discourse on this has been political. However, from a policy level, it is critical to understand the economics behind the fall. Why is the rupee falling? Is it falling worse than other currencies? Does the fall hurt or help the Indian economy? And finally, is this a cause for alarm? Guests: Madan Sabnavis and Ranen Banerjee Host: TCA Sharad Raghavan Edited by Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

India’s home season against South Africa has been nothing short of dramatic, from a bruising Test whitewash to a spirited comeback in the ODIs. But beneath the results lies a deeper story about where Indian cricket stands today and where it is headed. In this episode of In Focus, we break down the biggest talking points from the tour. Why is India suddenly vulnerable in Tests at home? Are the pitches the problem, or is this part of a larger decline in red-ball skills? In contrast, what did the ODI win tell us about the squad’s depth — and is the Rohit-Kohli chapter far from over? We also discuss Gautam Gambhir’s leadership, the idea of split coaching roles, and what the upcoming T20s mean for India’s 2026 World Cup preparation. Host: Reuben Joe Joseph Guest: Amol Karhadkar, The Hindu’s sports writer Produced and edited by Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A recent report released by the World Health Organization, stated something that experts in India have been warning about for years: antimicrobial resistance or AMR in our country the report said, “is a serious and escalating threat, with resistance rates among the highest in the world.” The government is taking this threat seriously: it has now brought out National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance (NAP-AMR 2.0) — (2025-29) to combat AMR at all levels. So what is India facing in terms of infections that may not be able to be cured? What sectors does AMR affect outside of hospitals? What are the gaps in the latest AMR plan and how can they be managed? And finally, what can we, as individuals do? Guest: Dr. Abdul Ghafur, Senior Consultant in Infectious Diseases, Apollo Hospital, Chennai, and Coordinator, Chennai Declaration on Antimicrobial Resistance  Host: Zubeda Hamid Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Every winter, India’s capital city turns into a gas chamber. There is a sharp spike in cases of people reporting respiratory complaints. Children’s schooling is disrupted. They can’t go out and play. The elderly can’t take their morning walks. And the state does very little to address what is evidently a public health emergency. Beijing had exactly the same problem – but no longer. It took measures to solve it. India has big claims to be a rising power. But our government and bureaucracy have been unable to deliver on the most basic of requirements for life – breathable air. Why are we in this situation? What can be done? Guest: Vimlendu Jha, environmentalist Host: G Sampath Recorded, produced, and edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices