Technology
MIT’s New Algorithm Could Transform Urban Planning, Supply Chains and the Future of ‘Small Data’
MIT researchers have developed a breakthrough algorithm that identifies the smallest dataset needed to guarantee optimal decisions in complex real-world systems.
When cities build new subway lines, they face an impossible dilemma long before construction begins: how do you identify the cheapest, safest path through hundreds of city blocks without spending years on costly field surveys? Urban planners typically assume that the only way to make an optimal choice is to collect as much data as possible — often far more than budgets, timelines, or logistics allow.
A new study from researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) challenges that assumption with a radically different idea: for many complex decisions, you don’t need more data — you just need the right data.
The team has developed a mathematical and algorithmic framework that can identify the smallest possible dataset required to guarantee an optimal decision, even in problems involving thousands of uncertainties. Their findings suggest that a city planning a subway line under Manhattan, or a utility operator optimizing an electricity grid, may be able to cut their data collection needs dramatically.
And the breakthrough doesn’t just reduce the burden of field surveys — it rewrites long-held beliefs about AI and the data economy.
“Data are one of the most important aspects of the AI economy. Models are trained on more and more data, consuming enormous computational resources. But most real-world problems have structure that can be exploited. We’ve shown that with careful selection, you can guarantee optimal solutions with a small dataset,”Asu Ozdaglar, head of MIT’s EECS department, in a statement issued as part of this research.
Rethinking the ‘Big Data’ Era
For over a decade, modern AI has pushed the narrative that “more data is always better.” But many real-world optimization problems — from supply chains and transit networks to energy markets — have predictable structural patterns. The MIT researchers argue that this structure can be used to determine exactly which data points matter.
This is crucial in systems like:subway route selection, supply chain diversification, electricity network optimization, construction planning, logistics and resource allocation.
In all these cases, practitioners often drown in unnecessary data collection, hoping volume will compensate for uncertainty.
The new algorithm takes the opposite approach: start with no data, and add only what is provably essential.
The Key Breakthrough
The team’s method begins by mathematically defining what it means for a dataset to be “sufficient.” They break the decision space into “optimality regions” — scenarios in which a particular route, price, or configuration becomes the best choice.
A dataset is sufficient if it can accurately determine which region the real world belongs to. “When we say a dataset is sufficient, we mean that it contains exactly the information needed to solve the problem. You don’t need to estimate all parameters accurately; you just need data that can discriminate between competing optimal solutions,” said Amine Bennouna, co-lead author.
Once the structure is defined, the algorithm repeatedly asks a critical question: “Is there any scenario in which the optimal decision could change, and my current data would fail to detect it?”
If the answer is yes, the algorithm identifies precisely which new measurement would fill that gap. If no, the dataset is complete — and provably sufficient.
This approach can shrink data collection from thousands of measurements to a handful.
“The algorithm guarantees that, for whatever scenario could occur within your uncertainty, you’ll identify the best decision,” Omar Bennouna, co-lead author, added.
From Manhattan Tunnels to Global Supply Chains
Consider the example of a subway planned beneath New York City. Every city block might hide different soil conditions, underground utilities, or hazard profiles. The traditional assumption: investigate everything.
The MIT model: investigate only the blocks that can change the optimal route, and ignore the rest.
The same applies to: selecting shipping routes in a congested supply chain, configuring electrical grid nodes during volatile energy prices, deciding where to place sensors in large infrastructure projects. This could save millions in surveys, simulations, and engineering assessments.
The researchers were able to show not only that minimal datasets exist — but that their algorithm can find them systematically, preserving optimality with mathematical certainty.
“We challenge this misconception that small data means approximate solutions. These are exact sufficiency results with mathematical proofs,” Saurabh Amin, co-senior author, said.
Why This Matters: Cost, Carbon, and Computational Savings
If AI models can be trained with fewer, smarter data points: computation becomes cheaper, energy consumption drops, model training becomes faster and policymakers can rely on faster decision cycles.
For large infrastructure projects, this could mean shaving months — even years — off planning timelines.
The team plans to expand the framework to more complex scenarios, including situations where data are noisy or partially observable — a common challenge in the real world.
Their work will be presented at the Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS) — a major stage for breakthroughs that redefine how AI systems learn and make decisions.
If successful, this research could push the global AI ecosystem to rethink its data obsession. Instead of hoarding massive datasets, the future may lie in asking sharper questions — and collecting only the data that truly matters.
Technology
India’s Youngest Startup Founders Are Reaching for Space and Reinventing AI
At just 20, Onkar Singh Batra and Dhravya Shah are India’s youngest startup founders, building SpaceTech and AI ventures on the Hurun U30 List 2026.
India’s startup ecosystem is beginning to see a new generation of entrepreneurs who are starting younger and taking on increasingly complex technological challenges. This year’s youngest startup founders are just 20 years old, Onkar Singh Batra, founder of SpaceTech startup “Apolink”, and Dhravya Shah, founder of AI startup “Supermemory”. At just 20, they are the youngest entrepreneurs featured in the Avendus Wealth–Hurun India U30 List 2026, lowering the age benchmark from 22 in last year’s edition.
Building Solutions Beyond Their Years
At this young age, Batra and Shah are solving complex problems.
Batra founded Apolink to improve communication between low-Earth orbit satellites. As satellite constellations continue to expand worldwide, maintaining uninterrupted connectivity has become one of the industry’s key challenges. His startup is developing an inter-satellite broadband network designed to keep satellites connected without relying entirely on ground stations, helping improve the efficiency of future space communication systems.
Shah’s AI startup Supermemory, meanwhile, is focused on one of artificial intelligence’s biggest limitations. The startup is building what it describes as a memory layer for AI systems, enabling them to retain and retrieve information across interactions. As businesses increasingly integrate AI into their workflows, such capabilities are expected to make AI assistants more effective at handling long-term tasks and contextual decision-making.
Their ventures may be young, but both operate in technology sectors where innovation often requires years of research, engineering expertise and sustained investment.
A New Profile of Young Entrepreneurship
The inclusion of Batra and Shah reflects a broader evolution in India’s startup ecosystem, where younger founders are entering sectors that demand specialized technical knowledge.
“The 2026 U30 list reflects a decisive shift in India’s entrepreneurial landscape. One in four honourees are building in DeepTech and HardTech, spanning AI, SpaceTech, Aerospace & Defence, EVs and Cybersecurity. This marks a clear evolution from consumer-first startups to founders solving globally relevant, technology-intensive problems. The youngest entrepreneurs are now just 20 years old, underscoring how innovation is beginning earlier than ever,” said Anas Rahman Junaid, Founder and Chief Researcher at Hurun India.
The report also notes that 84 per cent of the entrepreneurs featured are first-generation founders, reflecting the growing accessibility of entrepreneurship beyond established business families.
Youngest Startup Founders Making an Early Mark
While Batra and Shah represent the youngest entrants on the list, several other founders in their early twenties have already built companies of remarkable scale.
Leading the list is Zepto, founded by Aadit Palicha and Kaivalya Vohra, both 23. The quick-commerce startup is the highest-funded company on this year’s U30 ranking, having raised US$2.3 billion. In just a few years, Zepto has grown into one of India’s most valuable startups, illustrating how quickly young entrepreneurs are translating ideas into businesses with national reach.
The ranking also features founders behind companies in fintech, healthcare, climate technology, defence, software and electric mobility, highlighting the breadth of sectors in which India’s under-30 entrepreneurs are making their mark.
Starting Younger, Aiming Further
The stories of Onkar Singh Batra and Dhravya Shah are about more than setting an age record. With greater access to technology, global networks, venture capital and startup support systems, young founders are entering the ecosystem earlier than previous generations. Many are choosing to solve problems that extend beyond consumer services, taking on challenges in fields such as artificial intelligence, space technology and advanced engineering.
Technology
India Pauses WhatsApp Username Rollout Over Fraud Concerns
India has paused WhatsApp’s username feature over fraud concerns. Here’s why the government intervened and how WhatsApp responded.
WhatsApp’s plan to let users communicate without sharing their phone numbers has run into regulatory scrutiny in India. The Centre has directed to pause the rollout of its upcoming WhatsApp username feature until consultations with the government are completed, citing concerns that it could create new opportunities for impersonation and online fraud.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has reportedly sought a detailed explanation of the feature and the safeguards built into it, asking the company to clarify how it plans to prevent misuse before the feature is introduced in India.
WhatsApp Username Feature: Privacy Under Scrutiny
The proposed feature would allow users to create a unique username and connect with others without revealing their mobile number. Similar systems already exist on messaging platforms such as Telegram and Signal, where usernames act as an alternative identity for communication.
For users, the feature offers greater privacy, especially when interacting with businesses, communities or people they do not wish to share their personal phone number with. But regulators believe the same feature could make it easier for cybercriminals to disguise their identities and impersonate trusted organizations.
Officials are particularly concerned that fraudsters could create usernames resembling those of banks, government departments or public officials, making phishing attempts and financial scams appear more credible.
Rising Cyber Fraud Provides the Backdrop
The government’s caution comes amid a significant rise in cyber-enabled financial frauds, particularly so-called “digital arrest” scams. In these schemes, fraudsters impersonate police officers, customs officials, CBI personnel or other government authorities and coerce victims into transferring money by falsely claiming they are under investigation.
Many of these scams shift from phone calls to encrypted messaging platforms, where voice calls, video calls and document sharing are used to make the deception appear authentic.
The scale of the problem was highlighted in a status report submitted by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to the Supreme Court in April 2026. According to the report, WhatsApp banned more than 9,400 accounts linked to digital arrest scams after launching a dedicated investigation in January this year.
The investigation began after Indian authorities shared a limited number of accounts involved in such frauds. WhatsApp subsequently used those accounts as starting points to identify and dismantle thousands of connected scam accounts operating across the platform, illustrating how organised these fraud networks have become.
The latest enforcement action has reinforced the government’s view that any change to user identity on messaging platforms must include robust protections against impersonation.
WhatsApp Outlines Safeguards
Responding to the government’s concerns, WhatsApp clarified that the username feature has not yet been launched and will be introduced gradually later this year.
The company said usernames are intended to improve privacy rather than reduce accountability. According to WhatsApp, the feature will be optional, allowing users to continue using phone numbers if they prefer.
It also said usernames will not be searchable through a public directory. Instead, users will need to know another person’s exact username before initiating contact.
To reduce impersonation risks, WhatsApp plans to reserve usernames associated with public figures, government institutions and well-known organisations. It also says it will prevent repeated attempts to register protected usernames and provide contextual information when users receive messages from unfamiliar accounts.
WhatsApp Username Feature: A Larger Debate on Digital Identity
India is WhatsApp’s largest market, making the government’s intervention significant beyond a single product update. As messaging platforms increasingly move away from phone-number-based identities, regulators are examining whether alternative identity systems can provide both anonymity and accountability. The consultations between WhatsApp and the government are therefore likely to influence not only the rollout of usernames in India but also how future privacy-focused features are assessed from a cybersecurity perspective.
Technology
Japan PM India Visit: Why Technology is at the Heart of New Delhi and Tokyo’s Partnership
The Japan PM India visit highlights how semiconductors, AI, critical minerals and resilient supply chains are reshaping the India-Japan partnership beyond trade and infrastructure.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi begins her three-day visit to India, technology has emerged as the defining pillar of the India-Japan partnership, with both countries looking to collaborate in semiconductors, artificial intelligence, critical minerals and advanced manufacturing.
The discussions at the 16th India-Japan Annual Summit come as governments worldwide race to secure critical technologies and reduce dependence on fragile global supply chains. For India, Japan brings decades of expertise in high-precision manufacturing. For Japan, India offers a rapidly expanding market, a skilled workforce and ambitions to become a global manufacturing hub.
Semiconductors Take Centre Stage
One of the most significant areas of cooperation is semiconductors. While Japan no longer dominates chip manufacturing, it remains a global leader in semiconductor materials, manufacturing equipment and precision components—essential building blocks for producing advanced chips.
India, meanwhile, is investing heavily in developing a domestic semiconductor ecosystem through the India Semiconductor Mission. In 2023, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on the Japan-India Semiconductor Supply Chain Partnership to strengthen collaboration in manufacturing, research, design, talent development and supply-chain resilience.
As artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, 5G networks and data centres fuel global demand for advanced chips, semiconductor cooperation has become a strategic priority for both governments.
Beyond Infrastructure to Technology Transfer
The India-Japan relationship has traditionally been associated with infrastructure projects such as the Mumbai-Ahmedabad High-Speed Rail corridor. However, the partnership is increasingly shifting towards technology transfer and industrial capability.
The bullet train project, built using Japan’s Shinkansen technology and financed largely through concessional loans from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), has introduced advanced signalling, train control systems and specialised engineering expertise to India. The project also includes training for Indian engineers, helping develop domestic capabilities in high-speed rail technology.
Broader Technology Ecosystem
Technology cooperation now extends well beyond transport. India and Japan are expanding collaboration in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure, clean energy, robotics and critical minerals—sectors that are expected to underpin future economic growth and industrial competitiveness.
Japan’s strengths in advanced manufacturing complement India’s focus on scaling electronics production and attracting global technology investment. Together, the two countries are seeking to build resilient supply chains that are less vulnerable to geopolitical disruptions.
Why the visit matters
The significance of Takaichi’s visit lies in the changing nature of the India-Japan partnership. What began as a relationship centred on infrastructure and investment is increasingly becoming one driven by technology, innovation and economic security.
As countries compete for leadership in next-generation industries, the outcomes of this summit could help shape India’s ambitions to become a global manufacturing and technology hub while reinforcing Japan’s role as one of its most important strategic technology partners.
Sharing Over Shopping: How Kerala’s Swap House Is Modelling a Different Way to Consume
Mumbai Braces for More Heavy Rain as IMD Extends Alert Till July 7
World Bank Drops 45% Climate Finance Target Under US Pressure
Kochi’s Sustainable Mobility Model Earns Global Recognition with UITP Impact Award 2026
As the FIFA World Cup Heats Up, Climate Change is Changing the Game
From Bell Labs to the Classroom: A Second Career in Teaching
From One Roman Classroom to 60,000 Schools: How Maria Montessori Quietly Changed the World
10 Technologies That Could Change How We Power Homes, Fight Cancer and Feed the World
Why Humid Heat Is Becoming India’s Most Dangerous Climate Threat
Beyond the IITs: India’s University Rankings Story Is Getting Bigger
-
Space & Physics1 month agoIndia Semiconductor Mission: ‘It’s Not About Fabs. It’s About Building An Entire Ecosystem’
-
Climate1 month ago
The Climate World Cup? How Climate Change Could Affect Player Performance at the 2026 World Cup
-
Society3 weeks ago
From Bell Labs to the Classroom: A Second Career in Teaching
-
Space & Physics1 month ago
Engineers Develop Dual-Mode Propulsion System for Next-Generation Small Satellites
-
Interviews5 months ago
Geometry, Curiosity and Finding ‘Her’ Place
-
Space & Physics2 months ago
Inside India’s Semiconductor Push: ‘This Is a 100-Year Bet’
-
Society4 weeks ago
From One Roman Classroom to 60,000 Schools: How Maria Montessori Quietly Changed the World
-
Technology2 weeks ago
10 Technologies That Could Change How We Power Homes, Fight Cancer and Feed the World
