EP 194 - Artificial Intelligence, Ola Electric, Big Tech Monopolies & Religion ft. Bhavish Aggarwal

ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

Bhavish Aggarwal is the Chairman and Managing Director of OLA. He is an experienced entrepreneur who founded Ola Cabs in 2010, which is now India’s most popular ride-hailing service with over 50% market share.

In 2021, Bhavish started Ola Electric, a company focused on electric vehicles. Within three years, Ola Cabs and Ola Electric together are valued at over $13 billion.

His latest venture, Krutrim, launched in April 2023, became India's first AI unicorn. Krutrim is developing a full AI computing stack, including cloud infrastructure, and advanced silicon for data centers.

Bhavish graduated from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay, with a degree in Computer Science.

In this edition of the ANI podcast with Smita Prakash, Bhavish shared his vision for India's tech future, critiqued Western tech dominance, and advocated for greater autonomy and data sovereignty in India's AI efforts.

With plans for an IPO and expansions into EVs, Bhavish envisions India leading in technology and societal change. He emphasized the importance of India developing its own tech and cultural paradigms to maintain national data and narrative control.

(0:00) Introduction

(1:17) Tech Giants’ Attire

(3:54) Oats vs. Ice Salvo

(9:13) Lithium Tech Sustainability

(13:41) Supply Chain Importance

(21:59) Taiwan: Computing Industry Hub

(24:21) Krutrim: India’s Own AI

(31:09) American CEO vs. Indian CEO

(37:39) Who Owns Digital Data

(42:01) Ola vs. Uber

(44:21) Childhood Story

(49:20) Working Hours Debate

(53:27) Job Creation Business

(56:21) India’s Startup Boom

(58:09) From Ola Cabs to EVs

(1:08:14) Women Workforce

(1:10:29) Ola IPO Launch

(1:12:09) Cost-Effective EVs

(1:21:37) Ola Bikes

(1:25:53) Krutrim Competitors

(1:30:29) Govt Support to EV Industry

(1:34:15) True & False Segment

(1:46:07) Snap Reaction Segment