Flipkart has introduced a standalone app for its quick commerce unit, Minutes, and is piloting a food delivery service called 'Eat In' as it prepares for its major Big Billion Days sale in October. Meanwhile, key voices in the AI sector raise urgent warnings about the risks of rapidly advancing AI technologies.
- Flipkart launches standalone Minutes app with early access feedback.
- Food delivery pilot 'Eat In' rolls out to select Bengaluru employees.
- Anthropic and OpenAI insiders warn AI superintelligence risks over 10%.
What happened
Flipkart has launched a standalone app for its quick commerce service called Minutes, available initially via early access on the Google Play Store. This new app supports faster delivery and aims to regain market share as Flipkart faces user shifts to competitors offering 10-minute deliveries. The company is also pilot testing a food delivery service named 'Eat In' with employees in Bengaluru, planning a gradual public rollout by mid-September.
The move is strategically timed ahead of Flipkart's flagship annual Big Billion Days sale in October, signaling the company’s commitment to strengthening its position in quick commerce and food delivery sectors. This launch follows earlier reports earlier in 2026 indicating Flipkart's intention to separate Minutes into an independent app to maximize growth and user engagement.
Why it matters
Flipkart's efforts highlight the intensifying competition within India's fast-ecommerce landscape, where players battle to deliver groceries and essentials within minutes. As consumer preferences shift towards instant gratification facilitated by quick commerce models, having a dedicated app allows Flipkart to optimize features tailored to rapid deliveries and improve customer experience.
On a different front, concerns about AI development risks are gaining prominence as former employees of leading AI firms Anthropic and OpenAI raise alarms. They caution that the pursuit of self-improving superintelligent AI poses existential threats to humanity, with some estimating a greater-than-10% chance of catastrophic outcomes within the next decade. This intersection of rapid tech innovation across sectors like e-commerce and AI underscores both opportunity and profound risk.
What to watch next
Monitor Flipkart's user engagement and growth metrics from the Minutes app launch and how the integrated food delivery pilot performs as it expands to the public. The company’s ability to leverage these quick commerce services effectively before the Big Billion Days sale will be key to maintaining market relevance amid emerging competitors.
In parallel, the evolving discourse and regulatory scrutiny around AI safety should be closely watched, as industry insiders and researchers continue to debate the pace and oversight of autonomous AI systems. Developments in agentic commerce, AI-powered shopping agents, and frameworks for secure digital transactions could further shape both fintech and e-commerce landscapes in India.