Using data to improve farming; Diversity engine for innovation

Hello,

The world could soon see an AI Mark Zuckerberg.

Facebook parent Meta is reportedly building an AI version of its founder that can engage with employees in his stead. The company is working on developing photorealistic, AI-powered 3D characters that users can interact with in real time, per an article in Ars Technica.

Meta is spending billions of dollars to get ahead in the AI race. Last week, it introduced Muse Spark, which is the first in a new series of large language models built by Meta Superintelligence Labs. AIStory decodes how Muse Spark signals a new direction for Meta’s AI journey.

Meanwhile, Japanese investment company SoftBank wants to make AI models that can control robots. It has established a new company that will make these models available for Japanese firms. According to The Japan Times, SoftBank, NEC, Sony and Honda each have a 10% stake in the new unit. The move comes amid countries’ push to create sovereign AI in an effort to compete with the US and Chinese companies. 

Elsewhere, luxury brands in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are seeing a decline in sales amid the tensions in West Asia. In March, top brands reported sales drops of as much as 30-50% at the Mall of the Emirates, one of Dubai's largest, compared to the same month last year, Reuters reported citing sources.

In today’s newsletter, we will talk about 

• Using data to improve farming
• Diversity engine for innovation

Here’s your trivia for today: What was Che Guevara's real first name?

Startup

Using data to improve farming

In Indian agriculture, data isn’t the problem; usability is. From apps and sensors to enterprise platforms, farm businesses are flooded with information. But most of it remains fragmented, locked in systems that don't talk to each other, and too complex for field teams to actually use. Vinay Nair and Richa Nair discovered this gap while selling natural fertilisers to farmers in Maharashtra.

That insight led to the launch of KhetiBuddy in 2021. It is a Pune-based, multi-modular SaaS platform built for mid to large-sized farm businesses. 

Data driven:

• KhetiBuddy’s core aim is to solve the issue of data gap, bringing scattered farm data into a single, usable system. 
• The startup structures its offering around four core pillars, all powered by a shared farm data layer. This allows businesses to start with a single use case, such as improving crop yields or managing exports, and expand without rebuilding systems. 
• Its farm management module tracks the entire crop cycle, from sowing to harvest. It logs planting dates, soil tests, weather updates, satellite imagery, and sensor data, creating a detailed record.

Inspiration

Diversity key to innovation

Rishu Sharma’s path to becoming Senior Director, Consulting – Digital & Data at global IT services and consulting company Birlasoft did not start in the world of technology.

After completing her master’s in finance and marketing, Sharma began her career as a comparative insights manager for British Telecom through Pipel Research. She then moved into a consulting/strategy role at HP (now HPE), where she stayed for six years, working closely with the CEO’s office.

Key takeaways:

• Sharma’s 18-year career has spanned tech research, consulting, and CXO advisory, with a strong focus on thought leadership.
• While there is a lot of talk about inclusive AI, what does it actually look like on the ground? According to Sharma, inclusive AI in India is both an opportunity and a responsibility.
• From her experience, making AI truly inclusive comes down to three critical areas: asking the right questions, interpreting outcomes effectively, and connecting technology to business context.

News & updates

• AI infra: ChatGPT-maker OpenAI has said it’s opening its first permanent London office with a capacity of over 500 team members, after the company halted a major AI infrastructure project in the UK.
• Monsoon: This year, India’s monsoon will likely see below-average rains, the government has said. This is the first time in three years that monsoon will be subdued, stoking concerns over farm output in India. 

What was Che Guevara's real first name?

Answer: Ernesto

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