Former OpenAI researcher Shyamal Hitesh Anadkat has returned to India to build Empirical Machines. The startup aims to use AI to accelerate research into molecules and materials.
Anadkat returned in 2026 after nearly 4 years at OpenAI, where he led the Applied Evals team. His move is among several examples of experienced AI researchers building companies in India.
Parth Sarthi, who previously worked at Google DeepMind, is cofounder of Chariot. The company is developing speech-native foundation models and was selected under the IndiaAI Mission to develop foundational models.
The IndiaAI Mission is expanding access to computing resources and supporting domestic model development, lowering some barriers to starting AI companies. For founders, the opportunity depends on turning research expertise into products customers will pay for, while managing substantial computing and specialist hiring costs.
Researchers are establishing companies in India, creating a base for proprietary AI research beyond the established global labs.
Public support for computing access and model development can reduce barriers that previously constrained local research.
Technical credentials may help recruit specialists, but customer demand and commercial execution will determine which businesses endure.
Written automatically by the Made in 10 Newsroom from the source above.
Eternal has unveiled Dark, a privacy-focused AI platform it hopes to launch globally in 2026. It runs adapted open-weight models on Eternal’s own infrastructure and promises encrypted conversations and user-controlled memory.
Anthropic has launched Claude Duet, an AI agent for professionals and small business owners, as a research preview. It can work across connected apps and asks for approval before major actions such as sending payments or deleting information.
Anthropic could publish its IPO prospectus as soon as Friday, Yahoo Finance reports, citing 3 people familiar with its plans. The filing would reveal financial details and risks, but the timing remains unconfirmed.