Technology

Jio Platforms Partners Confluent To Fuel GenAI Use Cases In India

sagarsainivip@gmail.com / June 9, 2026

Jio Platforms Limited has partnered with California-based data streaming company Confluent to drive the development of real time and GenAI use cases in India. As part of the agreement, Confluent Cloud will be available on Jio Cloud Services, allowing businesses in India to start using data streaming seamlessly. This collaboration is set to boost India’s digital infrastructure, as data streaming plays a pivotal role in enabling real-time analytics and GenAI advancements, according to an official statement. “We’re on the precipice of rapid transformation in India, and data streaming is a must-have for businesses to stay ahead of consumer trends, including advancements in AI,” said Kiran Thomas, president and chief executive at Jio Platforms Limited. On Jio Cloud Services, Confluent will cover all key aspects of streaming service – streaming, connecting, processing and governing data. Confluent Platform will be offered as a managed service for both consumers and enterprises in India, including the public sector, ensuring enterprise-grade security and governance to manage large scale data securely. Recently, at the inaugural AI Action Summit held in Paris, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called for a need of global collaboration to establish governance and standards that uphold shared values. “India is building its own large language model (LLM), considering its diversity. We are developing AI applications for public good. We have the world’s largest AI talent pool,” the PM claimed. India’s bid to build its own LLM was first revealed by union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, who recently said that India plans to build its own foundational AI model in the next 10 months. The minister also said that the government will make available 18,000 high-end GPU-based compute facilities for AI development to entities across the country in the next couple of days, which will enable the development of the AI model. While the country’s leader focussed on the benefits that humanity can extract from AI, the Indian Economic Survey 2024-25 highlighted the immense job disruption threat the tech can pose on the country’s job market. Highlighting researches from the International Monetary Fund, the International Labour Organisation, Goldman Sachs, among others, the Economic Survey said that AI-led automation can prove to be challenging for the Indian economy and the labour market.

Technology

Exclusive: Jio’s Crypto Token Now Integrated With Its Messaging App

sagarsainivip@gmail.com / June 9, 2026

Weeks after it rolled out its crypto token ‘JioCoin’ for the users of its web browser JioSphere, Jio Platforms has now integrated the virtual digital asset with its messaging app, Messages. ‘Messages’ will reward users with JioCoin if they make it their default app for sending and receiving text messages, sources told Inc42. Messages is a free-to-use service that enables users to send ‘chat’ messages and SMS from the same app. The app by Jio Platforms, a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), has over 50 Lakh downloads so far on Google Play Store. While the app is available on both Google and Apple app stores, JioCoin integration is currently only available for Android users. “Unlock rewards for engaging with Messages and redeem to save on transactions!,” reads the app description. JioCoin is a blockchain-based reward token built atop Ethereum Layer 2. It is currently listed on crypto platform Polygon Labs. As per the “FAQ” section on Messages, JioCoin is currently in beta stage and is available only in India. Messages is the second app after JioSphere to integrate JioCoin. The coins earned by the users for engaging with the apps will be deposited into a wallet integrated on Polygon. Inc42’s queries to Jio Platforms on the development didn’t elicit any response till the time of publishing the story. RIL forayed into the Web3.0 and cryptocurrency space last month by unveiling JioCoin. However, the company is yet to make an official announcement on the same. On JioSphere, both Android and iOS users can earn JioCoins coins by surfing the internet on the browser. Jio Platforms is likely to roll out JioCoins for the users of JioCinema and MyJio as well in the coming days, according to reports. Weeks before the launch of JioCoin, Polygon Labs, in January 2025, announced a strategic partnership with Jio Platforms for the latter’s Web3 and blockchain foray in India. “The partnership would aim to add Web3 capabilities to some of the existing applications and services owned and operated by JPL by leveraging Polygon’s cutting edge blockchain solutions to create innovative Web3 services for Jio’s existing 450+ million customers,” the digital giant said then in a statement.

Technology

India’s OTT Battle Turns Into JioHotstar Or Nothing

sagarsainivip@gmail.com / March 17, 2026

‘One ring to rule them all, and in the darkness, bind them’ — the situation perhaps not as morbid as that line from The Lord of the Rings, but the launch of JioHotstar this week marks another pivotal moment for the Indian streaming industry, with Reliance now holding the keys to the kingdom. Incidentally, the previous such moment also involved Hotstar as the streaming platform moved homes to Disney+ five years ago right in the middle of the Covid pandemic. Since then Disney+ Hotstar not only lost rights to key live sports properties but also marquee international shows, which put it on the backfoot. Many of those shows and live sports events moved to JioCinema, so in a roundabout way, Hotstar is back to what it was before the pandemic. In fact, we can argue that no OTT or streaming platform in the world has the dominant slate that the all-new JioHotstar now boasts of — not just movies and global hits, but also live cricket matches watched by hundreds of millions of Indians. But before we look at the fate of the streaming industry, a short detour into the top stories from our newsroom this week: The EV Funding Question: A slowdown in sales across categories, cautious investment climate, and macroeconomic parameters have dampened investor interest in the EV space. What will change this malaise? Much Furore Over ‘Latent’: Outrage over Ranveer Allahbadia’s allegedly ‘obscene’ remarks have set India’s social media ecosystem on fire. Did the award-winning influencer cross a line that could have grave implications for the creator economy? Shein, Five Years Later: Shein is back in India, but the market has changed in the five year exile for the fast fashion giant. Will Reliance’s backing be enough to dethrone Zudio, NEWME and others that are now ruling the roost? JioHotstar Goes Large Putting an end to months of speculation, Disney and Reliance officially announced the signing of binding agreements in late 2024 to create a joint venture, merging Viacom18 with Star India Private Limited. The combined JioHotstar entity is anticipated to host more than 100 TV channels and two of the country’s most prominent OTT platforms – Disney+ Hotstar and JioCinema. As of now, RIL is set to infuse INR 11,500 Cr into the new platform — an investment that has raised concerns around Reliance gunning for big revenue in the streaming business. Thus far, JioCinema had taken a slower approach to revenue growth, with its subscription plans launching only last year, despite the platform being around since 2022. If Reliance’s past is any indication, JioHotstar will not go slow on customer acquisition. Armed with the content library that no other platform can boast of, this is Reliance’s new money machine. All indications are that even formerly free content such as the Indian Premier League will now require subscriptions. According to a Reuters report, viewers will only be able to match a few minutes of an IPL match without a subscription. Post this, users will have to subscribe to plans starting at INR 149. In other words, it’s the end of the freebie era that defined Reliance’s streaming service till now. In many ways, this is JioHotstar flexing its content muscles and unlocking a huge revenue stream for the Mukesh Ambani-led company. It’s also worth noting that Jio has played it smartly by integrating JioCinema into the larger Disney+Hotstar app rather than the other way around.