AI and Automation News Highlights from July 28, 2025 - QABYTE

1. Massive AI-Driven Layoffs Reshape Indian IT Sector

Summary:
India’s tech industry is undergoing a dramatic transformation as artificial intelligence and automation accelerate, leading to unprecedented employment shifts. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) confirmed plans to lay off approximately 12,000 employees, signaling the end of an era defined by manpower-heavy operations. Former Tech Mahindra CEO CP Gurnani declared that Indian IT must shift its focus from sheer workforce size to outcome-based models powered by AI and automation. Experts note over 125,000 job reductions in the industry as repetitive roles, such as manual software testing and back-end support, are being replaced by AI tools. However, this transition is also fueling demand for advanced skills in data science, AI/ML, and cybersecurity.

2. AVEVA Day India 2025 Showcases Industrial AI for Sustainable Growth

Summary:
Mumbai hosted AVEVA Day India 2025, where leaders from AVEVA and Schneider Electric highlighted how industrial AI is becoming central to India’s ambition of building a $1 trillion export economy. The event emphasized “industrial intelligence”—convergence of AI, IoT, robotics, and big data—for smarter factories and optimized, resilient supply chains. Focus was also placed on academia-industry collaboration to build a workforce ready for AI-driven operations and sustainable industrial growth.

3. Gujarat AI Action Plan 2025–2030 Announced

Summary:
The Gujarat government unveiled its AI Action Plan, a transformative blueprint to integrate AI into healthcare, agriculture, education, fintech, and other sectors. This initiative aims to accelerate the state’s digital transformation and support large-scale adoption of AI-powered solutions to enhance quality and efficiency across diverse industries.

4. AI Tools and Automation in Indian Startups and Industry

Summary:

Tata Steel plans to implement AI and digital frameworks to expedite steel delivery, aiming to “become the Zepto or Blinkit for steel by reducing delivery time from weeks to just 72 hours.”

Zithara.AI is modernizing India’s offline retail by digitizing workflows in millions of kiranas and local shops, bringing AI-powered innovation to tier-II/III cities and rural areas.

Drizz raised $2.7 million to advance AI-based mobile app testing, supporting automation in software development life cycles.

5. Expert Commentary: Risks of Poorly Designed AI Applications

Summary:
Corporate leaders cautioned that “flimsy or poorly thought-out application of AI” can lead to unnecessary job losses. As more Indian enterprises automate processes, the importance of thoughtful, ethical AI deployment has become a major discussion point, especially in light of ongoing layoffs and workforce changes.

References (for Source Attribution):

The Hindu Business Line – India IT faces AI shockwave, 1.25 lakh layoffs[1]

Times of India – TCS layoffs mark IT shift, CP Gurnani on the “end of Sholay days”[2]

Deccan Herald – TCS layoffs, AI-fueled disruption[3]

Indian Chemical News – AVEVA Day India 2025 industrial AI[4]

AI CERTs – Gujarat AI Action Plan 2025-2030[5]

YourStory – Indian startup news roundup, Tata Steel, Zithara.AI, Drizz funding [6]

New Indian Express – Expert quotes on AI, job losses[7]

These stories reflect how AI and automation are driving structural change in India’s tech and industrial sectors, fostering both disruption (in the form of layoffs and reskilling pressures) and massive opportunity (in efficiency gains, new business models, and state-backed innovation).

References: