In this episode, Shouvik and Leslie dive into the much-talked-about topic the Union Budget and its big promises for India’s tech and AI industry. The government’s push for a semiconductor ecosystem and focus on foundational models get a nod, but the hosts are quick to warn against lofty goals of building everything from scratch. Drawing parallels to India’s earlier struggles in the mobile industry, where a lack of a component ecosystem held back progress, they stress the importance of learning f...
Feb 12, 2025•28 min
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Feb 10, 2025•24 min•Ep. 261
In the latest episode of Mint Techcetra, our hosts Leslie D'Monte and Shouvik Das run down all the biggest news from this week. We begin with the Samsung Galaxy S25, which is Samsung's second generation of its AI smartphone. Then, we move on to the technology being used in the Mahakumbh Mela, one of India’s biggest religious events, happening for the first time in 144 years. Finally, we discuss Donald J. Trump’s second tenure as the United States president and how his actions will impact the wor...
Jan 28, 2025•28 min•Ep. 260
In today’s episode of Mint Techcetra, our hosts Leslie D’Monte and Shouvik Das talk about the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025: In Las Vegas kicked off the year and shows It’s not just about humans vs. machines anymore; it’s about working together with exciting innovations, showcasing everything from AI-driven robotics to quirky gadgets. AI took center stage with NVIDIA's Cosmos AI model, promising smarter robotics like glasses that process images as you explore. Humanoid robots were another...
Jan 20, 2025•33 min•Ep. 259
In the latest epsiode of Mint Techcetra our hosts Shouvik Das and Leslie D'Monte talks about CES 2025, where tech world is buzzing with exciting innovations, but are they really groundbreaking or just early generation attempts? From Samsung’s omnipresent screens to Hyundai’s futuristic full-windshield holographic displays, the Consumer Electronics Show is showcasing tech that’s pushing the limits of what we expect from devices. One of our very own, Leslie D’Monte, had an insightful chat with Kin...
Jan 08, 2025•25 min•Ep. 258
What changed in tech this year? From the rise of Gen AI to the game-changing speed of quick commerce, 2024 was packed with rapid shifts in the tech world. Innovations that came out of nowhere quickly became part of our daily lives—redefining the way we shop, work, and manage our health. We dive into how AI-powered tools have become everyday essentials, the rise of 10-minute deliveries, and how health tech is now in the hands of millions. Plus, we take a closer look at how telecom woes continue, ...
Dec 31, 2024•24 min•Ep. 257
Happy holidays! Before we disappear into family time and binge-watching our favorite shows, we’ve got one more episode for you this year. we're celebrating the season with a special "Tech-mas" wrap-up, where we talk about the startup ideas we wish could become a reality this Christmas like chatGPT-powereds humanoid Santa Claus robots. We also chat about the Hologram lady and her unique love story, offering a little bit of everything from tech innovation to heartwarming stories. Plus, we highligh...
Dec 24, 2024•27 min•Ep. 256
In this episode of Mint Techcetera, host Deepti Ahuja explores groundbreaking innovations in the commercial vehicle sector with Venky Srinivasan, Head of Data and Analytics at Ford Pro. Discover how Ford Business Solutions India is transforming fleet management, optimizing vehicle performance, and enhancing safety using AI and advanced data analytics. Learn about specific projects, the role of data in solving key fleet management issues, and how FPS India contributes to Ford's global technology ...
Dec 18, 2024•31 min•Ep. 255
ChatGPT has turned 2 this year, and it's becoming the face of AI for many people. Since its launch, ChatGPT has changed the way we communicate with machines. It's no longer just about answering questions or performing tasks—it's about understanding, context, and helping us navigate through complex challenges. The conversation sheds light on how ChatGPT has advanced in just two years, including how it’s built trust and captured the imagination of people, especially in India, where it’s becoming a...
Dec 11, 2024•31 min•Ep. 254
Have you ever heard of a robot that "kidnapped" other robots? In a surprising twist, a tiny robot named Erbai “kidnapped” 12 larger robots from a robotics company’s showroom in Shanghai, China. he exploited security loopholes in the larger robots’ operating systems, enabling it to take control of the others. In today's episode, our hosts Leslie D'Monte and Shouvik Das dive into the details behind this incident, exploring what it means for AI autonomy and safety in industrial settings. We even dr...
Dec 03, 2024•27 min•Ep. 253
In today’s episode of Mint Techcetra, hosts Leslie D’Monte and Shouvik Das take us through an exciting exploration of the latest in space tourism and India’s smartphone market. The episode begins with a look at Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, two major players in commercial space travel, backed by Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson respectively. Both are working towards making space more accessible to the masses by offering trips into lower orbit and the outer stratosphere. With missions like NS 28...
Nov 28, 2024•31 min•Ep. 251
Would you trust your life to a robot surgeon? Robotic arms, trained through imitation learning using surgery videos, are revolutionizing healthcare. These steady-handed machines—nothing like the transformers we once imagined—are already assisting in surgeries. While no human can process thousands of data points at once, these constantly learning robots might just improve how surgeries are performed. On the connectivity front, the debate between 4G and 5G continues. While 5G promises faster speed...
Nov 20, 2024•26 min•Ep. 250
In the latest episode of Mint Techcetra, our hosts Leslie D'Monte and Shouvik Das delve into the recent introduction of ChatGPT search by OpenAI, which challenges Google's long-standing dominance in the search engine market. They reflect on how the conventional method of searching for information—typing queries and sifting through links—might evolve into a more conversational interface, allowing users to simply ask questions and receive direct answers. This shift raises questions about the futur...
Nov 13, 2024•26 min•Ep. 249
In the latest episode of Mint Techcetra, hosts Shouvik Das and Leslie D'Monte delve into the risks associated with our increasingly digital lives. They discuss how one careless click or overshare can compromise personal information, leading to severe consequences like identity theft or loss of access to vital accounts. The threat of digital arrest looms as proprietary databases and locked information can entrap us. Understanding our rights and responsibilities in this landscape is crucial, as ig...
Nov 05, 2024•31 min•Ep. 248
In this episode, our host, Leslie meets the "Godfather of AI," Yann LeCun, to discuss AI's rapid adoption in India and the challenges that lie ahead. LeCun explains that AI is evolving into a common infrastructure, much like how Linux powers the internet, but India still faces significant obstacles. He emphasizes the need for AI to learn from real-world interactions, moving beyond the current limits of large language models. LeCun expresses optimism about AI’s future, predicting human-level inte...
Oct 29, 2024•25 min•Ep. 247
In this episode of Mint Techcetra, we explore the latest advancements in technology, starting with Android 15. This new version of the mobile operating system has arrived, and it’s hard to believe we’re already at Android 15, especially when many remember earlier versions named after gold, chocolates, and sweets like Gingerbread, Eclair, and Honeycomb. With the passage of time, even the names and the sweets have gone out of the window. While some users may feel that the excitement for new update...
Oct 22, 2024•32 min•Ep. 246
In this episode of Mint Techcetra, host Kartik delves into the growing global issue of diabetes—a chronic and complex lifestyle condition affecting millions. Joined by Dr. Prashanth Subramaniam, Head of Medical Affairs, Diabetes Care, India, and Sheryl Salis, a Registered Dietitian and Founder of Nurture Health Solutions, the discussion explores the impact of digital disruption on diabetes management. The episode covers the benefits of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) technology, its role in ...
Oct 18, 2024•33 min•Ep. 245
Are Gen AI smartphones and driverless cars the future we can’t escape? Do we really need them? In the latest episode of Mint Tech, hosts Shouvik Das and Leslie D'Monte talk about the upcoming launch of the world’s first AI phone and how big companies are pushing generative AI features into every smartphone, across all price points. Shouvik shares his experience with Waymo in San Francisco. Imagine how relaxing it is to let the car handle the driving while you just sit back and enjoy the ride. Th...
Oct 14, 2024•33 min•Ep. 244
In this episode of Mint Techcetra, host Deepti Ahuja sits down with Mani James, Chief Business Officer, Mosaic Digital, and Glenn Gore, CEO of Affinidi, to explore how emerging technologies like AI and 5G are reshaping India's digital landscape. As data privacy regulations tighten under the Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, 2023, the focus shifts to consent-driven digital identity solutions. Glenn shares insights on the growing need for secure, decentralized identity management, while Mani ...
Oct 07, 2024•27 min•Ep. 243
In the latest episode of Mint Techcetra, host Deepti Ahuja sits down with Sumeet Mathur, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of ServiceNow India Technology and Business Center, to explore the growing customer service gap in India. As businesses promise more but often deliver less, this gap threatens to erode customer loyalty and brand value. In this insightful conversation, Sumeet sheds light on how AI and innovative technologies are revolutionizing customer service, streamlining operati...
Oct 04, 2024•29 min•Ep. 242
Dear listeners, as we celebrate 5 amazing years of HT Smartcast, we’re re-releasing the most loved episode from this podcast. Today, we’re bringing you one of our all-time favorites titled - India's space station is no longer fiction, plus reviewing Pixel 9's AI overload. In this episode hosts Shouvik Das and Leslie D'Monte dive into a conversation about the International Space Station (ISS) Winds Down, India is gearing up for a major leap in space exploration with its upcoming Bhartiya Antriksh...
Sep 27, 2024•29 min•Ep. 241
The iPhone 16 has sparked conversations with its focus on Apple intelligence. In the latest episode of Mint Techcetra our hosts Leslie D'Monte and Shouvik Das note that while many premium models look similar, the integration of generative AI is now the key differentiator. Apple’s design strengths continue to give it an edge, especially as it reduces prices to stay competitive in price-sensitive markets like India. On the semiconductor front, India is making significant strides. Leslie has follow...
Sep 24, 2024•27 min•Ep. 240
In this episode of Mint Techcetra, our host Deepti Ahuja is in conversation with Viswanath Ramaswamy, Vice President, Technology at IBM India & South Asia, to address a critically important topic — Cybersecurity. Did you know that in 2024, the average cost of a data breach in India has soared to an unprecedented INR 195 million? Deepti and Viswanath explore the ‘AI for Security or Security for AI’ conundrum and discuss practical strategies to safeguard business operations. You'll gain essent...
Sep 18, 2024•30 min•Ep. 239
In the latest episode of Mint Techcetra, hosts Leslie D’Monte and Shouvik Das dive deep into the key blockchain issues in India, focusing on the transition driven by BSFI's Bankchain and IBDCI. The episode spotlights Metis approach, which identifies six key features to address these challenges and raise questions about how many Indian developers are equipped to work on blockchain platforms. Additionally, the conversation briefly touches upon India’s progress with its Central Bank Digital Currenc...
Sep 09, 2024•29 min•Ep. 238
As the International Space Station (ISS) Winds Down, India is gearing up for a major leap in space exploration with its upcoming Bhartiya Antriksh Station. Slated for launch no earlier than 2028 and expected to be operational by 2035, this new space station will mark a significant milestone for India. With the ISS ending its run, the Bhartiya Antriksh Station will be one of the few stations in orbit, alongside China's Tiangong, ensuring India's prominent role in future space endeavors. Meanwhile...
Sep 02, 2024•27 min•Ep. 237
In the latest discussion, our hosts Shouvik Das and Leslie D'Monte focus on increasing local manufacturing for smartphones. The conversation highlights the challenge of achieving a truly "Made in India" device due to the current lack of advanced semiconductor plants. While efforts are underway to reduce electronics imports and boost exports, the gap remains significant. GoPro's recent struggles are also on the table. The company has announced a 15% cut in its workforce as part of a cost-reductio...
Aug 23, 2024•35 min•Ep. 236
In this episode of Mint Techcetra, host Deepti Ahuja is joined by industry leaders Pankaj Vyas, CEO & MD of Siemens Technology & Services Pvt. Ltd, and Dr. Rishi Bhatnagar, Chair of the IET Future Tech Panel at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing India's tech industry—the Component Conundrum. Despite India’s growing presence in the global tech scene, the nation remains heavily dependent on imports for essential compone...
Aug 23, 2024•35 min•Ep. 235
In the latest episode of Mint Techcetra, there’s a lot of buzz around the big claims made by tech companies about their new features. Our host Shauvik Das and Leslie D'Monte talked about how Google’s new Gemini integration is changing the game, especially with its cloud-based AI capabilities. There are concerns about privacy and whether these companies are truly safeguarding your data or if your information is being shared with third parties. We also explore some fun tech gadgets perfect for the...
Aug 17, 2024•33 min•Ep. 234
In the latest episode of Mint Techcetra, our hosts Shouvik Das and Leslie D'Monte share their thoughts on the changing world of budget smartphones in India, where people's needs have evolved from just having a basic, affordable phone to wanting devices that can handle everything from streaming videos to taking great photos. With Qualcomm's new Snapdragon 4S Gen 2 chipset set to power smartphones under ₹8,000 and offer 5G connectivity, it seems like high-tech is becoming more accessible than ever...
Aug 09, 2024•35 min•Ep. 233
The way technology has changed over time is truly incredible. Take the Paris Olympics 2024, for instance. This grand event has always been about showcasing the best athletes, but now it's also about the latest tech being used. One story that's captured everyone's heart this year is that of Yusuf Dikec, a 51-year-old air pistol shooter from Turkey. Imagine competing in an event where the tiniest fraction of a second can make the difference between victory and defeat. Without any fancy gear or hig...
Aug 05, 2024•37 min•Ep. 232
