AI goes mainstream: Google and Jio lead the charge

The past week was packed with major developments across the global tech and business landscape, from Google’s latest partnership in India to Nvidia’s record-shattering valuation and India’s upcoming tech IPO wave. Here’s a closer look at what shaped the week.

Google and Jio join hands for free AI access In a significant move to bring advanced artificial intelligence tools to the masses, Google has partnered with Reliance Jio to offer its premium AI services free to Jio users. As part of the deal, subscribers will get access to Google’s Gemini Pro AI suite, tools that usually come at a premium cost. The collaboration aims to democratise AI adoption in India by integrating these tools into Jio’s digital ecosystem, which already spans telecom, retail, and cloud platforms. For millions of users and small businesses, this partnership could mark their first hands-on experience with enterprise-level AI.

Nvidia becomes world’s first $5 trillion company In another landmark development, Nvidia crossed a market valuation of $5 trillion , becoming the first company in history to do so. The milestone underscores Nvidia’s central role in powering the global AI revolution, from training large language models to running high-performance computing systems. Once known mainly for its gaming chips, Nvidia has evolved into a core infrastructure company for artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and data centres. The record valuation signals investor confidence in AI as the defining technology of the decade.

Lenskart and Groww prepare massive IPOs Back home, Indian markets are buzzing with excitement as two leading tech-driven firms, Lenskart and Groww , prepare for blockbuster stock market debuts. Lenskart’s ₹7,278 crore IPO opened for subscription on October 31, while Groww has filed for a ₹6,632 crore issue slated to open on November 4. These listings highlight the growing investor appetite for consumer-tech and fintech companies in India. For the startup ecosystem, their performance could set the tone for future IPOs in 2026.

Trump–China trade truce steadies global sentiment On the international front, U.S. presidential frontrunner Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a temporary truce in the trade war after talks in Busan. The deal includes a reduction in U.S. tariffs and China’s one-year pause on rare-earth export restrictions. However, the agreement stops short of addressing deeper disputes over technology exports and semiconductor trade, particularly restrictions on advanced AI chips. Global markets responded positively, but analysts caution that the underlying strategic rivalry between the two nations remains unresolved.

A defining week for global tech From Silicon Valley’s record valuations to India’s digital transformation and renewed global trade negotiations, the week underscored how technology, finance, and geopolitics are increasingly intertwined. As AI becomes a mainstream tool, and Indian startups rise on the global stage, the coming months will test how sustainable this momentum truly is.