James Damore, who worked as a software engineer in Alphabet Incorporated’s Google, published a memo last week regarding anti diversity and gender stereotypes in the tech world and within the company, in Google’s internal forum. The memo, which went viral, is a 10 page long screed titled Google’s Ideological Echo Chamber.
In the memo, Damore argues that women are underrepresented in the tech industry not because they face bias and discrimination in the workplace, but because of inherent psychological differences between men and women. He claims that women have biological issues that have prevented them from being as successful in the tech industry as men. He also adds, “We need to stop assuming that gender gaps imply sexism,” and women are less interested in high stress jobs because they are more anxious. The memo includes graphs and charts to support his personal opinion and accuses Google of silencing conservative political opinions.
The memo, which spread outside the company as well, angered many in Silicon Valley including several Google employees who railed against its assumptions. Google’s Chief Executive Officer, Sundar Pichai also sent a company wide memo claiming portions of the memo had violated the code of conduct and crossed the line “by advancing harmful gender stereotypes in our workplace.” But, he also noted that the memo did raise some important and valid points, such as the need for more willingness at Google to include more points of view, including the more conservative ones. Google’s Head of Diversity Danielle Brown, speaking about the memo said, “It’s not a viewpoint that I or this company endorses, promotes or encourages.”
Bloomberg reported, James Damore was fired on Monday because of the memo and confirmed by Damore himself who said he was fired for, “perpetuating gender stereotypes.” The memo put Google in a no win situation as they have long promoted a culture of openness with employees, who have even mocked the company’s strategies on internal forums. Google has also been dealing with the criticism that it has not done enough to promote diversity in the tech industry. The search giant is currently also fighting a lawsuit against the U.S Department of Labor who claim the company systemically discriminates against women.
To clarify matters further, Sundar Pichai has also called for a townhall meeting, along with the members of the leadership team, this Thursday.
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Venture Catalysts, a leading Mumbai-based venture capital platform, has secured Rs 150 crore (around $18 million) through a strategic mix of primary and secondary transactions. This fresh round of funding resulted in a company valuation of approximately $200 million and drew participation from high-profile investors such as Ashish Kacholia, the Shah Rukh Khan family office, Aishwarya Rai, as well as several established capital market veterans and renowned business houses. The move not only demonstrates strong investor confidence but also positions Venture Catalysts at the forefront of India’s rapidly evolving startup landscape.
The infusion of capital is earmarked to accelerate key initiatives, including expanding Venture Catalysts’ leadership team, launching new investment funds, and exploring advanced technology solutions with an emphasis on AI-enabled due diligence and reporting tools. Additionally, the firm aims to strengthen its footprint across major Indian startup hubs and grow its suite of Category II alternative investment funds, harnessing this growth to support a new wave of promising startups and founders within the ecosystem.
Since its inception in 2016, Venture Catalysts has evolved from an angel network to a multi-fund powerhouse, managing over $500 million in assets and deploying nearly $200 million across more than 400 startups, including industry leaders like BharatPe, Renee Cosmetics, and InsuranceDekho. This latest funding round reinforces Venture Catalysts’ pivotal role in nurturing and scaling some of India’s most innovative startups, catalyzing growth throughout the country’s thriving entrepreneurial sector.
U.S. AI leader Anthropic has expanded its restrictions on Chinese entities, taking a firm stance against access to its advanced AI models—including the renowned Claude chatbot—by any company or subsidiary more than 50% owned, directly or indirectly, by Chinese organizations. This updated AI policy is designed to block loopholes that previously allowed access to powerful AI tools via overseas affiliates, joint ventures, or cloud providers, reinforcing Anthropic’s commitment to responsible technology governance and the protection of sensitive data.
Driven by rising national security and regulatory concerns, Anthropic’s move highlights potential risks involving companies subject to Chinese jurisdiction, which could be compelled to cooperate with state intelligence and share critical information. The sweeping policy marks the first public, formal ban by a major U.S. AI company based on entity ownership and control, rather than only geographic boundaries, ultimately intensifying scrutiny on AI exports and global tech supply chains.
While the immediate business impact is expected to be modest, experts consider this a landmark decision that may set industry-wide precedents, prompting other U.S. tech giants to reevaluate their own AI export and usage policies. This development not only heightens the U.S.–China tech rivalry but also shapes the future landscape of AI governance, data security, and international compliance in a rapidly evolving digital world.
Apple has set a new benchmark in India, recording $9 billion in annual sales for FY25—a 13% surge over the prior year, fueled chiefly by robust demand for iPhones and MacBooks. The tech giant’s strategic expansion into Bengaluru and Pune with new flagship stores has deepened brand engagement and increased accessibility for customers across urban centers.
Apple’s rapid retail footprint expansion and locally tailored initiatives, including student discounts and trade-in offers, overcame price barriers and high import duties to drive sales volumes to unprecedented heights. Meanwhile, local production reached new highs, with 20% of iPhones now assembled in India and manufacturing output up 60%, valued at $22 billion part of Apple’s move to diversify its global supply chain.
India is now Apple’s fourth-largest market worldwide, reflecting its rising role as both a consumption and manufacturing powerhouse for premium tech. Continued investment in retail outlets, partnerships with Tata for device repairs, and consumer-friendly financing have positioned Apple for even stronger growth as Indian incomes and technology aspirations rise.
Code of destiny
April 17, 2025 at 12:02 am
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