Sandhya Devanathan, Meta’s long-serving head for India and Southeast Asia, is joining OpenAI to spearhead its operations in Southeast Asia and Australia. Meanwhile, Indian IT stocks rallied after Nvidia's robust quarterly results, and Hero MotoCorp increased its investment in Ather Energy, signaling strong confidence in the evolving tech and EV ecosystem.
- Sandhya Devanathan joins OpenAI as VP for Southeast Asia and Australia
- Indian IT stocks rise up to 5% on strong US tech earnings
- Hero MotoCorp increases stake in EV maker Ather Energy to 32.8%
What happened
Sandhya Devanathan, who has led Meta’s India and Southeast Asia operations for over a decade, announced her departure from the company. She will take on the role of vice president at OpenAI, overseeing the company’s efforts in Southeast Asia and Australia from Singapore. Reporting to OpenAI’s APAC managing director, her responsibilities will include fostering partnerships and supporting the AI ecosystem across consumers, businesses, and governments.
In parallel, Indian IT stocks experienced a significant rally influenced by strong US tech sector results. Companies like LTIMindtree, HCLTech, and TCS saw gains ranging from 4% to 5%. Investor enthusiasm was triggered by Nvidia’s better-than-expected quarterly earnings and optimistic guidance, easing concerns about the sustainability of AI-driven technology investment. Additionally, Hero MotoCorp boosted its investment in electric vehicle manufacturer Ather Energy by acquiring an additional 3% stake, raising its total shareholding to 32.8%.
Why it matters
Devanathan’s move to OpenAI highlights the escalating competition in AI leadership across the Asia-Pacific region. OpenAI’s expansion through local offices and top-level hires demonstrates its strategic commitment to broadening AI adoption and innovation beyond its US base. Having a senior leader with deep regional experience strengthens OpenAI’s ability to navigate diverse markets and regulatory environments.
The surge in Indian IT stocks reflects renewed investor confidence in technology companies benefiting from artificial intelligence advancements. Nvidia’s strong quarterly results reassured markets about the robustness of AI adoption and the sustainability of related investments. Hero MotoCorp’s increased stake in Ather underscores a growing belief in the future of electric mobility in India and signals further momentum in the country’s electric vehicle sector.
What to watch next
Market observers will monitor how Sandhya Devanathan’s leadership accelerates OpenAI’s presence and partnerships in Southeast Asia and Australia, particularly regarding regulatory engagement and ecosystem development. Insights into new product launches or strategic collaborations will indicate OpenAI’s trajectory in the region.
Investors should watch the Indian IT sector’s performance amid ongoing AI-driven shifts and global tech trends. The sustainability of current rallies will depend on continued earnings growth and successful integration of AI capabilities by these firms. Meanwhile, Hero MotoCorp’s role in Ather’s growth, especially post-IPO developments and market share trajectory, will be critical in gauging India’s electric vehicle market expansion.