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Kitkat installs ‘The Slooowest Vending Machine in the World’ in Hyderabad
Campaign encourages busy Indians to pause and take a mindful break.
MUMBAI: In a world that runs on instant everything, Kitkat has decided to hit the brakes literally. The iconic chocolate brand, in collaboration with global creative company VML and Delhi-based production house The Other Half, has unveiled “The Slooowest Vending Machine in the World” in one of Hyderabad’s busiest commercial hubs.
Instead of dispensing a Kitkat in the usual three seconds, this unique installation takes its sweet time. Once a coin is inserted, the chocolate bar embarks on a whimsical, slow-motion journey through miniature scenes inspired by everyday Indian life riding a toy train, spinning on a Ferris wheel, travelling in an iconic truck, floating down a river, and joining a festive procession.
The experience is designed to gently remind people to slow down and enjoy a mindful pause, even in the middle of a hectic day. “Have a break. Have a Kitkat.” has never felt more intentional.
Nestlé director of confectionery Gopichandar J said the idea was born from observing how even breaks in India are becoming shorter. “Vending machines are built for speed and convenience. We wanted to explore whether a small pause could feel meaningful.”
VML India chief creative officer Kalpesh Patankar added with a smile, “While the average vending machine pops out a snack in three seconds, ours takes a luxurious ride in no hurry at all.”
VML global chief creative officer for innovation & chief creative officer for EMEA Bas Korsten summed up the philosophy, “Everything today is about speed and multitasking. But what happened to taking a moment for yourself?”
The installation quietly drew crowds who lingered longer than usual, watching the journey unfold with smiles and a rare moment of stillness.
In a city known for its fast pace, Kitkat has created a delightful reminder that sometimes the best things like a good break are worth waiting for. A simple, clever idea that proves even a vending machine can teach us to slow down and savour the moment.
MAM
Three senior OpenAI infrastructure executives join Meta
Key members of Stargate project move to rival amid aggressive AI spending race.
MUMBAI: Three key architects of OpenAI’s ambitious data centre plans have switched sides and joined Meta Platforms, according to people familiar with the matter. Peter Hoeschele, who played a central role in OpenAI’s high-profile Stargate initiative, is among the new hires. He is joined by Shamez Hemani, who focused on computing strategy and business development, and Anuj Saharan, another leader in the computing organisation. The Information first reported their departure from OpenAI on Thursday.
The moves come as Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has pledged to spend aggressively on AI infrastructure. The company is projecting capital expenditure of up to $135 billion this year alone, with hundreds of billions more expected before the end of the decade to support its Meta Superintelligence Labs and new models such as Muse Spark.
OpenAI, which is pushing ahead with massive data centre expansion, had described its early lead in securing computing power as a competitive advantage. Stargate, originally announced last year as a $500 billion venture involving OpenAI, Oracle, and SoftBank, has since become an umbrella term for the company’s broader data centre ambitions. However, the project has seen recent adjustments, including a pause on its UK plans and the decision not to expand the Abilene, Texas site.
A spokesperson for Meta declined to comment, while Hoeschele, Hemani, and Saharan also declined to comment. OpenAI said it was grateful for the contributions of the three employees and remains focused on hiring talent for its infrastructure plans. The company recently brought in former Intel executive Sachin Katti to lead its industrial compute efforts.
In the high-stakes race to build the future of artificial intelligence, talent is proving to be as valuable as computing power itself. Meta’s latest hires suggest the competition for top infrastructure minds is intensifying, even as OpenAI continues to scale its own ambitious projects. The move highlights how quickly the AI talent war is heating up across Silicon Valley.
