Hyundai Motor India Chief Manufacturing Officer Gopalakrishnan CS detailed the company’s shift towards advanced manufacturing, envisioning a future with ‘dark factories’ running on ‘software-defined’ and full automation. (quote:) He highlighted the rapid growth of the industry, citing the World Economic Forum’s estimate that 44% of core skills will change over the next five years due to AI and big data. The discussion included Hyundai’s human-centric automation strategy, use of robotics for complex tasks and AI-based solutions to eliminate defects. Key data points show that Indian consumer demand for premium features like sunroof has increased. Gopalakrishnan also reaffirms Hyundai’s sustainability goals, which include achieving carbon neutrality by 2045 and making its Chennai plant operations RE100 compliant.

Dr SP Panigrahi, senior scientist at DRDO’s Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), elaborated on the future of warfare, which he terms ‘Army of Anyone’. In this future, conflicts will be dominated by robot-centric, autonomous systems rather than human soldiers. Dr. Panigrahi explains that the domain of warfare has expanded beyond land, sea and air to space, cyberspace and the electromagnetic spectrum. The primary objective of war has also shifted from territorial gain to ‘cognitive warfare’, the aim of which is to influence human cognition. He discusses how technologies such as AI-enabled drones, high-endurance underwater vehicles, and intelligent tanks are no longer mere tools, but are becoming autonomous, cognitive machines capable of making their own decisions. The conversation also discussed the development of AI, robotics and the huge, largely untapped potential of the human brain to innovate beyond machines.

This special report is based on the high-stakes first phase of Bihar Assembly Elections 2025, where the voting percentage had reached 60.13% till 5 pm. The analysis includes insights from political expert Amitabh Tiwari, who helps understand what these crucial numbers could mean for the state’s political landscape. Key districts in focus include Begusarai, once called the ‘Leningrad of Bihar’, which saw the highest turnout, and Patna, which saw the lowest turnout. The program explores whether the high turnout is indicative of an anti-incumbency wave or a sign of strengthening of support for the ruling NDA alliance, comprising the BJP and JD(U), against the Grand Alliance, comprising the RJD and Congress.

This special report focuses on the first phase of Bihar Assembly elections, where voting took place in 121 constituencies. Major themes emerging from the day included significant turnout of 60.13% till 5 pm, peaceful conduct of elections and major participation of women voters. A central question is what the high turnout indicates, as one analyst put it, ‘Who benefits from it, what is the message here, is it an anti-incumbency wave, a sign of change or is it essentially a tick for the Nitish model of governance.’ This election is a big test for the current government led by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and the opposition alliance. The results on November 14 will show whether the high participation signals a vote for change or support for the current leadership.