Nifty Smallcap 100 Plunges to 14,986 Low: Why Mid- and Small-Caps Are Crashing Harder Than the Market in March 2026

  The Indian stock market witnessed intense selling pressure on March 23, 2026, as mid- and small-cap indices tumbled over 4% amid a broader market crash driven by escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The Nifty Midcap 100 index has now declined around 13% year-to-date in 2026, reflecting sharp corrections in broader market segments that have outperformed in previous years but are now facing heightened volatility. Sharp Intraday Declines in Midcap and Smallcap Indices The Nifty Smallcap 100 index opened at 15,565.30 on Monday but quickly slipped to an intraday low of 14,986, erasing significant ground in early trade. By the afternoon session, the selling intensified, with the index down over 4% at points during the day. Market breadth was overwhelmingly negative—except for isolated performers like Trident (up around 2.85%), virtually every stock in the Nifty Smallcap 100 traded in the red, signaling widespread panic across smaller companies. Similarly, the Nifty M...
0

AI Could End Disease in a Decade, Says Google DeepMind CEO

 


Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis predicts that AI could eradicate disease within the next decade by revolutionizing drug development, slashing timelines from years to weeks. In a 60 Minutes interview on April 22, 2025, the Nobel Prize-winning AI researcher also forecasted artificial general intelligence (AGI) in 5-10 years and humanoid robot breakthroughs within two years. However, he noted that current AI lacks imagination, limiting its ability to generate novel ideas.

AI’s Healthcare Revolution

Hassabis highlighted AI’s potential to transform drug discovery. “It takes 10 years and billions of dollars to design one drug. We can reduce that to months or weeks,” he said. His work on AlphaFold, which predicts protein structures, earned him the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry and is accelerating treatments for diseases like cancer. This could make the end of disease a reality by 2035.

AGI and Robotics: The Next Frontier

Hassabis predicted AGI—AI with human-level cognition—within 5-10 years. Yet, he cautioned that AI lacks creativity: “It can’t yet ask novel questions or form new hypotheses.” He also foresaw humanoid robots performing useful tasks within two years, transforming industries.

Hassabis’s Vision

A neuroscientist and computer scientist, Hassabis co-founded DeepMind, acquired by Google in 2014. His pragmatic approach prioritizes building intelligent tools over debating AI consciousness.

Why This Matters for the Future

Hassabis’s predictions paint a picture of a world on the cusp of transformative change. From AGI to humanoid robots to the eradication of disease, AI is poised to redefine what’s possible. However, his acknowledgment of AI’s limitations—particularly its lack of imagination serves as a reminder that significant challenges remain. Bridging the imagination gap will require not only technical breakthroughs but also a deeper understanding of human cognition, an area where Hassabis’s neuroscience background gives him a unique edge.

For businesses, researchers, and policymakers, these developments signal the need to prepare for a rapidly evolving landscape. The potential to reduce drug development timelines, deploy intelligent robots, and achieve AGI within a decade offers immense opportunities but also raises ethical and societal questions. Hassabis’s call to prioritize intelligent tools over speculative concerns like AI consciousness provides a roadmap for responsible innovation.

Conclusion

From ending disease to pioneering AGI and robotics, AI is reshaping the future. Demis Hassabis’s insights offer a glimpse into an AI-driven future that’s both thrilling and grounded in practical realities. While AGI may be five to ten years away, the immediate impact of AI in healthcare and robotics is already taking shape. With breakthroughs like AlphaFold and the promise of humanoid robots on the horizon, Google DeepMind is leading the charge toward a world where AI not only augments human capabilities but also tackles some of humanity’s greatest challenges. Hassabis’s insights show how tools like AlphaFold are paving the way for a healthier, smarter world.

Location:Nainital Uttarakhand ,India India

Comments

Post a Comment