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  • IndiaMart Boosts Spend on AI Solutions, Battling Bogus Listings and Ushering in Enhanced Content Checks

    IndiaMart Boosts Spend on AI Solutions, Battling Bogus Listings and Ushering in Enhanced Content Checks

    IndiaMart, a leading online marketplace in India, intends to significantly boost its investment in artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The company has announced plans to double spending on AI tools every six months with an aim of mitigating false listings and enhancing content checks, according to a top executive.

    The e-commerce platform operates as a conduit connecting buyers and sellers across a diverse array of categories, including everything from phone accessories and garden equipment to pharmaceuticals and industrial machinery. Unlike many online marketplaces, IndiaMart does not generally oversee the transactions that take place between its users.

    AI to Reinforce Integrity

    To bolster the authenticity and integrity of its platform, IndiaMart has begun utilising AI technologies to detect potential fraudulent accounts through pattern analysis across seller profiles. In addition, the company has introduced real-time voice-to-text tools to expedite processing of buyer requests, tasks previously carried out by call centre staff. This information was shared by Amarinder S Dhaliwal, Chief Product Officer of IndiaMart.

    The issue of counterfeit listings has been a long-standing challenge for the company. In fact, IndiaMart was mentioned in the 2022 ‘Notorious Markets’ list released by the US Trade Representative, which highlighted the issue of counterfeit goods on the platform as a significant concern.

    To combat this, IndiaMart is focusing on the development of AI tools. The company is both creating some of these tools internally and also partnering with external AI firms to tackle the issue.

    Investing in AI

    IndiaMart has been judicious in its approach to AI investment, and has not disclosed its specific budget for this. For context, the company’s total expenses for technology and content in fiscal 2026 amounted to approximately 2.26 billion rupees (US$23.94 million).

    According to Dhaliwal, content on IndiaMart can be classified into two categories: supplier contamination, which refers to sellers with malicious intent infiltrating the platform, and harmful listings, such as drugs or firearms. He noted that AI tools have been instrumental in improving the filtering of such harmful content.

    As of now, IndiaMart facilitates roughly 600 buyer-supplier matches every minute and attracts around 90 million visitors each month. With a current roster of about 220,000 sellers and a buyer conversion rate of nearly 45 per cent, the company is aiming for an ambitious target of hosting 1 million sellers.

    Questions & Answers

    How is IndiaMart using AI to enhance its platform?
    IndiaMart is investing in AI to detect potential fraudulent accounts and accelerate the processing of buyer requests. It’s also using AI to filter out harmful content and counterfeit listings.

    What is the scale of IndiaMart’s operations?
    IndiaMart connects about 600 buyers and sellers every minute and attracts around 90 million visitors each month. It currently hosts approximately 220,000 sellers on its platform.

    What are the company’s future plans?
    IndiaMart intends to double its AI investment every six months to further improve its platform. The company is also aiming to eventually host 1 million sellers.

  • Singtel Pioneers Singapore’s First 50 Gbps Fiber Broadband Trial, Ushering in New Era of Ultra-High-Speed Connectivity

    Singtel Pioneers Singapore’s First 50 Gbps Fiber Broadband Trial, Ushering in New Era of Ultra-High-Speed Connectivity

    Singapore’s premier telecommunications company, Singtel, has initiated the country’s inaugural 50 Gbps fiber broadband technical trial. The aim of this groundbreaking move is to fortify the fixed connectivity infrastructure of the country, which is crucial for the delivery of emerging data-intensive digital amenities propelled by Artificial Intelligence (AI).

    Exploring the Potential of Next-Gen Technology

    This technical trial employs the cutting-edge XGS-PON-based fiber technology, which is capable of facilitating speeds of up to 50 Gbps. The trial has been conceptualised keeping in mind the anticipated use cases of the imminent future, such as ultra-realistic Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR), AI-powered smart homes, high-performance remote working setups, and cloud gaming. Singtel’s objective with this initiative is to prepare both residential and commercial customers for the smooth adoption of novel technologies as they become mainstream over the next three to five years.

    Through this trial, Singtel aims to assess the network performance and capabilities needed to support the increasing complexity of multi-device environments driven by AI. Singtel maintains that the trial is a significant milestone towards the future large-scale rollout of ultra-high-speed fiber broadband for diverse users, both residential and commercial.

    Preparing for a Digital Future

    Ng Tian Chong, Singtel Singapore’s CEO, emphasised that digital technologies are already a part of everyday life in Singapore, with near-universal internet access, high device ownership, and extensive use of digital services for work, learning, and entertainment. The next leap in fiber broadband connectivity, he said, will ensure that homes and businesses can keep up with increasingly immersive and AI-enabled digital experiences.

    Singtel insists that its early adoption of the 50 Gbps fiber technology places Singapore at the vanguard of next-generation broadband innovation. This aligns with the nation’s Digital Connectivity Blueprint, which prioritises the construction of a robust and future-ready digital infrastructure.

    Enabling Advanced Applications

    The 50 Gbps trial facilitates a new grade of whole-home, multi-gigabit connectivity. Singtel believes this will support ultra-high-definition entertainment, including 8K and future 12K video streaming, high-quality AR, VR, and XR experiences, and low-latency cloud gaming and cloud PCs. The technology also caters to data-heavy workflows for home-based businesses and professionals, including engineering simulations and secure enterprise-level remote connectivity.

    Moreover, the ultra-high-speed broadband is anticipated to enable advanced telemedicine and remote diagnostics, such as real-time medical imaging transmission, VR-based physiotherapy, and connected at-home medical devices. AI-driven smart homes will reap the benefits of real-time analytics across security cameras, IoT appliances, and autonomous devices. It also provides a solid foundation for next-generation Wi-Fi, dense IoT ecosystems, and emerging AI-generated entertainment formats.

    Questions & Answers

    What is the purpose of Singtel’s technical trial?

    The purpose of the technical trial is to assess the network performance and capabilities needed to support the increasingly complex multi-device environments enabled by AI. It also aims to prepare residential and commercial customers for the smooth adoption of novel technologies as they become mainstream.

    How will the 50 Gbps fiber broadband technology benefit homes and businesses?

    The technology will support ultra-high-definition entertainment, low-latency cloud gaming, high-quality AR, VR, and XR experiences, and data-heavy workflows for home-based businesses and professionals. It will also enable advanced telemedicine and remote diagnostics, as well as provide real-time analytics for AI-powered smart homes.

    How does this initiative align with Singapore’s nationwide digital strategy?

    The trial aligns with Singapore’s Digital Connectivity Blueprint, which focuses on building a robust and future-ready digital infrastructure. By positioning Singapore at the forefront of next-generation broadband innovation, it is helping prepare the nation for a rapidly evolving digital future.