AI news today: ChatGPT study mode, job cuts, India’s first AI-ready cloud computer and more

Artificial Intelligence is rapidly emerging as a transformative force across industries, driving innovation, efficiency, and new economic opportunities. As AI continues to evolve—from narrow applications to more general-purpose intelligence—its role in shaping the future of work, security, and society is becoming increasingly central and unavoidable.

India will host the AI Impact Summit in February 2026, marking its growing influence in the global push to democratise artificial intelligence for public good. The announcement comes as AI technologies continue to reshape industries. A new report by ServiceNow warns that over 1.8 crore jobs across manufacturing, retail, and education sectors in India could be impacted by agentic AI by 2030. Manufacturing is expected to be hit hardest, with 80 lakh jobs affected, followed by 76 lakh in retail and 25 lakh in education.

Meanwhile, Amazon and SoftBank-backed robotics startup Skild AI has unveiled Skild Brain, a general-purpose AI model that can operate across various types of robots, signalling a shift toward more versatile machines. Microsoft is also in talks with OpenAI to secure long-term access to its technology, even if the company achieves artificial general intelligence. On the domestic front, Reliance Jio launched JioPC, India’s first AI-ready cloud computer aimed at supporting remote work and education. As AI expands, industries like voice dubbing are pushing back against automation, while companies like Apple face pressure due to a slower AI rollout and geopolitical trade tensions.

Top news on AI are:

India to host AI impact summit 2026, leading global dialogue on democratising AI
India is set to host the AI Impact Summit in February 2026, reinforcing its commitment to democratising Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the public good, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday.

Amazon backed Skild AI unveils general purpose AI model for multi-purpose robots
Robotics startup Skild AI, backed by Amazon and Japan’s SoftBank Group, unveiled a foundational artificial intelligence model designed to run on nearly any robot – from assembly-line machines to humanoids. The model, called Skild Brain, enables robots to think, navigate and respond more like humans. Its launch comes amid a broader push to build humanoid robots capable of more diverse tasks than the single-purpose machines currently found on factory floors.

AI to impact 1.8 cr jobs in manufacturing, retail, education sectors by 2030: Report
Manufacturing, retail and education sectors are staring at a “seismic” shift due to agentic artificial intelligence, and over 1.8 crore jobs are set to be impacted in these sectors by 2030 due to new-age technologies, a report said on Wednesday.Manufacturing jobs will bear the highest impact with 80 lakh workers to be affected, closely followed with retail with 76 lakh jobs to be impacted and education jobs impact is pegged at 25 lakh over the next five years, as per the report by Servicenow.OpenAI rolls out study mode in ChatGPT
OpenAI on Tuesday introduced “study mode” in ChatGPT, a new feature aimed at helping students work through questions step by step instead of providing direct answers. The feature has been rolled out to logged-in users across Free, Plus, Pro, and Team plans, with ChatGPT Edu availability planned soon.

Microsoft is in advanced talks to land a deal that could give it ongoing access to critical OpenAI technology
Microsoft is in advanced talks to land a deal that could give it ongoing access to critical OpenAI technology, an agreement that would remove a major obstacle to the startup’s efforts to become a for-profit enterprise.

Reliance Jio announces India’s first AI-ready cloud computer
Reliance Jio on Tuesday unveiled JioPC, India’s first AI-ready, cloud-based virtual desktop platform.

It provides flexible, on-demand computing that can be upgraded anytime, a subscription-first model and AI-ready tools for innovative learning, work-from-anywhere, and everyday tasks.

Apple earnings under pressure from tariffs, slow AI roll-out
Long seen as the safest Big Tech bet, Apple is heading into Thursday’s earnings with its business facing pressure from U.S. tariffs, tough competition in China and a high-stakes artificial intelligence race it has been late to enter.