It’s a wrap: News this week (July 5 – July 11)

There have been multiple developments this week on the tech front. From Google’s AI Mode launch in India to TCS’ quarterly results, here is a list of the most important updates for a quick catch-up:

Google rolls out AI Mode in India

Google, on Tuesday, announced the roll-out of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Mode for users in India. Using this feature, users can get AI-based responses to queries.

Introduced first in June, AI Mode was earlier available as an experiment in Labs, an early experiment house at Google. According to the company, the initial response to AI Mode has been encouraging, with users appreciating the ‘speed and quality of responses’. It is being used for diverse use cases, including deep research into a topic and understanding complex know-how. 

With today’s announcement, people can use AI Mode experience in Google Search, with no Labs sign-up required. Over the coming days, a new tab for AI Mode will appear in Search and in the search bar in the Google app, available in English. All the features from the Labs launch will be available. Users can type text queries, use voice, or snap a photo with Lens to get comprehensive responses with links, and learn further with follow-up questions.

Capgemini acquires WNS

Global technology firm Capgemini announced on Monday that it will be acquiring business outsourcing services firm WNS. This deal, which is valued at $3.3 billion (excluding WNS' net financial debt), will help add generative and Agentic AI capabilities to Capgemini’s portfolio of services. 

“Capgemini’s acquisition of WNS will provide the Group with the scale and vertical sector expertise to capture that rapidly emerging strategic opportunity created by the paradigm shift from traditional BPS to Agentic AI-powered Intelligent Operations,” comments Aiman Ezzat, Chief Executive Officer of Capgemini.

Capgemini hopes to position itself as a ‘business and transformation partner to those enterprises who want to become AI-powered businesses’ with the WNS acquisition. Based on published data for calendar year 2024, the combined entities would have generated €23.3 billion in revenue with an operating margin of 13.6%.

New Zealand’s Dunedin City Council taps HCLTech for digital overhaul

IT services firm HCL Technologies on Thursday signed a 10-year strategic partnership with New Zealand's Dunedin City Council (DCC) to modernise and manage its IT services, aiming to improve services and better engage with the community.

The agreement will see HCLTech overhaul the council’s IT operations, including cybersecurity, cloud services, network management, and IT asset tracking. The upgrades are designed to make systems more secure, flexible, and efficient. Council staff will benefit from new tools, including user-friendly digital platforms, self-service options rolled out in stages, and responsive on-site support. These changes are expected to streamline internal processes and make digital services quicker and easier for residents to use.

Additionally, HCLSoftware, the enterprise software business of HCLTech, released HCL Domino 14.5, a new product designed for governments and regulated organisations, such as private banks, that prioritise data privacy. The launch, announced on Monday, includes Domino IQ, an AI feature that helps protect sensitive information while maintaining security.

TCS announces Q1FY26 results

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), on Thursday, announced that its Q1 FY26 growth was driven by AI and data, TCS Interactive, and cybersecurity, as clients focused on scaling AI, transforming contact centres, optimising costs, and improving cyber defenses. The quarter was overall a weak one for the 

The country’s largest IT services company reported a consolidated net profit of ₹12,760 crore for Q1 FY26, a 4.38% increase from ₹12,224 crore in Q4 FY25. Consolidated revenue, however, decreased by 1.6% to ₹63,437 crore from ₹64,479 crore in the previous quarter, or 0.6% to $7,421 million from $7,465 million in dollar terms.

K Krithivasan, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, said, “The continued global macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties caused a demand contraction. On the positive side, all the new services grew well. We saw robust deal closures during this quarter.”

Tata Elxsi, Synopsys partner to advance software-driven car development

Tata Elxsi has signed an agreement with Synopsys, a firm known for its work in electronic design, to work together on new technology for cars. 

The partnership aims to provide solutions that help car manufacturers develop and test software for vehicles more efficiently. These solutions involve creating virtual versions of electronic control units (ECUs), which are essential for modern cars that rely heavily on software. By combining Tata Elxsi’s abilities in building and integrating systems with Synopsys’ technology, the collaboration seeks to simplify software development, cut costs, and reduce risks in vehicle production.

Tata Elxsi also announced its financial earnings for the first quarter of FY26. Its revenue from operations came in at ₹892.09 crore, down 3.7% from the year-ago period and 1.78% on a QoQ basis. Its net profit stood at ₹144.4 crore, down 21.6% from ₹184.1 crore in Q1FY25.