Yazılar

India launches pilot to enable e-commerce payments through ChatGPT

/in /tarafından

India’s National Payments Corporation (NPCI) and Razorpay have teamed up with OpenAI to launch a pilot program that enables AI-powered e-commerce payments directly within ChatGPT. The initiative leverages India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI), allowing users to make purchases without leaving the chat platform.

The project represents the country’s first integration of agentic AI payments, where artificial intelligence systems can independently execute transactions on behalf of users. “With agentic payments, we’re transforming AI assistants from simple discovery tools into full-fledged shopping agents,” said Harshil Mathur, CEO of Razorpay.

The pilot will test how AI agents can securely manage user payment credentials to autonomously complete purchases using UPI’s new ‘reserve pay’ feature, which sets aside funds for designated merchants.

Axis Bank and Airtel Payments Bank are serving as banking partners, while Bigbasket, owned by Tata Group, has become the first e-commerce platform to enable ChatGPT-based shopping. OpenAI’s Oliver Jay said the partnership aims to combine “advanced AI with one of the world’s most trusted real-time payment networks.”

UPI currently processes over 20 billion monthly transactions, making it the backbone of India’s digital payment ecosystem. The pilot could pave the way for AI-driven commerce, transforming chatbots into autonomous retail platforms.

Capgemini to Acquire WNS for $3.3 Billion to Boost AI-Driven Outsourcing Services

/in /tarafından

France’s IT services giant Capgemini has agreed to purchase technology outsourcing firm WNS for $3.3 billion in cash, aiming to expand its portfolio of artificial intelligence (AI) tools for business process improvement, the company announced on Monday.

The acquisition will enable Capgemini to develop consulting services focused on enhancing company operations and cost efficiency through AI technologies, including generative AI and agentic AI, which it anticipates will attract substantial investment.

The deal values WNS shares at $76.50 each, a 17% premium over their closing price on July 3, excluding WNS’s financial debt. Capgemini’s interest in the India-based WNS, known for business process outsourcing (BPO) and data analytics, was initially reported by Reuters in April.

Capgemini CEO Aiman Ezzat highlighted that WNS’s “high growth, margin accretive and resilient Digital Business Process Services” would also strengthen Capgemini’s footprint in the U.S. market. WNS’s client roster includes major firms such as Coca-Cola, T-Mobile, and United Airlines.

In a media call, Ezzat noted that the acquisition would immediately open cross-selling opportunities in the U.S. and the U.K. The deal is expected to close by the end of 2025 and to be accretive to Capgemini’s revenue and operating margin from day one.

Despite the strategic rationale, Capgemini’s shares dropped about 5% after the announcement, making it one of the biggest decliners on Europe’s STOXX 600 index. Morgan Stanley analysts expressed concerns that the deal might restrict Capgemini’s financial flexibility and have limited immediate financial impact.

Analysts also cautioned that generative AI could disrupt the traditionally labor-intensive BPO market, potentially affecting Capgemini’s revenue and introducing new competitors. They noted the market might need more proof that WNS is the optimal vehicle for leveraging AI to transform BPO services.

Amazon Unveils AI Upgrades to Delivery, Logistics, and Warehouse Operations

/in /tarafından

Amazon announced a series of new artificial intelligence initiatives aimed at enhancing its delivery, logistics, and warehouse operations, showcasing how the technology could significantly speed up package delivery and improve efficiency across its sprawling supply chain.

At the center of these developments is Amazon’s creation of a new group within its Lab126 device unit, tasked with developing warehouse robots powered by “agentic AI.” Unlike today’s robots that perform single, repetitive tasks, these AI-powered machines will be capable of multitasking — such as unloading trailers, retrieving parts, and making decisions based on natural language prompts. This flexibility is expected to be particularly beneficial during peak demand periods like the holiday season.

“For our customers, it’s, of course, faster delivery,” said Yesh Dattatreya, a robotics scientist leading the initiative. The robots will also contribute to minimizing waste and reducing carbon emissions, Amazon said, aligning with its broader sustainability goals.

Agentic AI — which allows systems to autonomously make and execute decisions — has become one of the most promising investment areas in AI development. Amazon’s version aims to transform warehouse robots into multi-functional assistants capable of responding to human commands in natural language.

Smarter Mapping for Delivery Drivers

Beyond warehouses, Amazon is using generative AI to improve mapping for delivery drivers. The new software provides highly detailed information about building layouts, obstacles, and navigation routes, particularly aiding deliveries to complex locations like large office parks or apartment complexes.

“This innovation is making it easier for Amazon drivers to find the right delivery spot, especially in tricky places,” Amazon stated.

The company also confirmed, for the first time publicly, that it is exploring AI-powered eyeglasses for its delivery drivers. These smart glasses would feature embedded screens to provide turn-by-turn directions, freeing drivers’ hands while navigating and delivering packages. Although still in development, the glasses could eventually integrate the advanced mapping technology already in use.

According to Viraj Chatterjee, vice president of Amazon’s Geospatial unit, U.S. drivers are already using the AI-generated maps daily, though they are not mandated to do so. This approach may help Amazon avoid legal challenges related to excessive control over gig economy workers.

AI Enhances Inventory Forecasting and Same-Day Delivery

In addition to physical logistics, Amazon is applying AI to better predict customer demand and optimize same-day delivery operations. The new forecasting software considers multiple variables—including price, convenience, weather, and special events like Prime Day—to ensure that popular products are pre-positioned in fulfillment centers closer to where they are most likely to be ordered.

“It allows us to sell a different set of books in Boston than we would in Boise, and cater to different tastes really, really efficiently across the communities that we serve,” said Nathan Smith, director of demand forecasting for Amazon’s supply chain optimization technologies unit.

With these AI upgrades, Amazon aims to maintain its competitive edge in e-commerce by delivering packages faster, improving the delivery experience for drivers, and further automating warehouse operations.