Xiaomi India Starts Layoffs
Xiaomi India will lay off employees as the handset maker is looking to bring its headcount below 1,000. The decision is backed by a fall in Xiaomi's market share in the country and the government's scrutiny of the smartphone OEM and the need to streamline its operations, the media has reported. According to a report by Economic Times, which cited several former and present employees, Xiaomi India employed approximately 1,400-1,500 staff, at the beginning of 2023. However, in recent weeks, Xiaomi India has laid off around 30 employees, with more employees likely to be handed pink slips in the months ahead.
Xiaomi India's declining market share is being attributed to "internal organisational issues" and significant decision-making authority being centralised at the Chinese headquarters. The handset maker was at the top spot in the Indian smartphone market and the leading smartphone brand in India, but it lost its status to South Korean tech giant Samsung in the third and fourth quarters of the last fiscal.
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Apple Partner Foxconn On Hiring Spree
Apple's largest and most prominent manufacturing partner Foxconn has ramped up hiring at the world's biggest iPhone factory in Zhengzhou province of China, weeks ahead of the launch of the upcoming iPhone 15. Apple is likely to unveil the iPhone 15 series this fall. A recruiter named Zhao, which is responsible for hiring staff for Foxconn, is hiring permanent employees and temporary workers at an hourly wage of 21.5 yuan ($3), the media has reported. Foxconn's production factory in Zhengzhou, China had to let go of workers during the strict COvid-19 lockdown in the country last year, but now, the facility is in need of workers.
Local recruiting agencies in Zhengzhou are proactively creating a talent pool to meet the requirements of the upcoming peak season, according to a recruiter named Zhao, says a report by Apple Insider.
ChatGPT Creator OpenAI Opening Office In London
ChatGPT maker OpenAI is opening its first non-US office in London and it "signifies a milestone" in OpenAI’s growth, the company has said. The company is globally expanding beyond the US. This showcases our commitment to broaden the scope of our operations, bring in diverse perspectives, and accelerate our mission of ensuring that artificial general intelligence (AGI) benefits all of humanity, the Sam Altman-owned company has added.
According to the company, London’s "vibrant technology" ecosystem and its exceptional talent make it the ideal location for OpenAI’s first international office. The teams in London will focus on advancing OpenAI’s leading-edge research and engineering capabilities while collaborating on our mission with local communities and policy makers.
Courier Scam' On The Rise In India
At a time when cybercriminals are duping individuals through "like YouTube videos and earn money" and scammers are tricking users into installing a "pink-themed version" of Meta-owned WhatsApp, a cyber fraud is targeting young people, where students are falling prey to "courier scam" or parcel scam". While "courier scam" or "courier fraud" has been around for a while, it is now on the rise. A Bengaluru student is the latest to fall prey to the courier scam and was duped of Rs 1.34 lakh, says a report by Indian Express.
US To Reinforce AI Chip Exports To China
US officials are contemplating the reinforcement of an export control regulation aimed at restricting the flow of artificial intelligence (AI) chips to China, reported Reuters based on source inputs. The proposed measure would involve imposing limits on the computing power of such chips. This development follows the Biden administration's issuance of comprehensive rules in October of last year, which aimed to stifle China's semiconductor industry while the US bolstered its own chip sector through substantial subsidies.
Salesforce To Invest $4 Billion In UK Biz
On Thursday, Salesforce announced its plan to invest $4 billion in its UK business over the next five years, citing strong demand for digital transformations and artificial intelligence. This commitment follows a previous five-year investment of $2.5 billion that the company outlined in 2018.
The substantial investment from Salesforce is viewed as a positive boost to the UK's technology industry, particularly as it comes shortly after Microsoft's president, Brad Smith, expressed concern over a regulatory decision that blocked Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, stating that it had shaken confidence in Britain.