MAM
Telangana govt & Oyo team up for hospitality development
MUMBAI: The Telangana government and hospitality company Oyo have announced their intent to collaborate to develop the hospitality ecosystem in the state. Oyo’s new tech development centre was inaugurated by Telangana minister for IT, electronics and communications K Taraka Rama Rao.
This facility in Hyderabad is designed as a cutting-edge in-house technology hub focused on developing innovative products for customers, partners and employees. National Institute of Tourism and Hospitality Management (NITHM) is in discussions to boost employability in the sector by leveraging Oyo’s expertise to develop a hybrid learning program. Also in the works is an alliance with Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation (TSTDC) to maintain, market and promote select properties under the corporation.
K Taraka Rama Rao says, “It is my pleasure to inaugurate this new Oyo tech centre. Oyo is a story of entrepreneurial spirit and innovation bringing about a paradigm shift in the Indian hospitality space. With a thriving business in Telangana and encouraged by the state’s conducive environment, Oyo not only set up a new engineering facility but is also exploring various avenues of partnership such as with NITHM and TSTDC. I look forward to the success of this collaboration.”
Oyo founder and CEO Ritesh Agarwal adds, “Technology has been the biggest driver towards our growth and expansion in the last four years. We pioneered tech-enabled operational processes to provide beautiful living spaces to travellers. This new centre of excellence for machine learning and artificial intelligence initiatives will help us consolidate our technology leadership. Additionally, strategic partnerships with NITHM and TSTDC will not only impart skilling but also create gainful value for the industry at large.”
The centre will be responsible for management and development of various verticals, including holiday packages, sales technology along with products and solutions for corporate travel and travel agents. It will focus on building supply chain technology and transformation technology teams, growing to 300 engineers by 2018-end.
Oyo chief technology officer Anil Goel adds, “Technology has been a core differentiator for us and our investments here are to ensure we remain future-ready. Our intent is to create value for all aspects of hospitality operations. We will leverage technology across all operational channels, from recruitment to management to training, in addition to customer engagement. We are excited about using machine learning techniques to understand the behavioural patterns of customers, which in turn will enhance customer experience and drive essential business metrics such as conversion and repeat rates.”
Digital
OpenAI names Sanghyun Lee Apac global affairs head
Ex-Google policy leader to steer AI governance and partnerships in region
MUMBAI: OpenAI has appointed Sanghyun Lee as head of Asia Pacific global affairs, bringing in a seasoned policy hand as it deepens engagement across one of the fastest-evolving AI markets.
Based in Singapore, Lee will lead public policy engagement, government relations and strategic partnerships across key Asia Pacific markets, including India, Japan, Korea, Australia and Southeast Asia. His role will centre on shaping how AI is governed and adopted responsibly across the region.
Lee joins OpenAI after nearly nine years at Google, where he held multiple leadership roles in government affairs and public policy. Most recently, he served as global head of key markets for platforms and devices, overseeing regulatory strategy across major markets including the US, EU and Asia.
Reflecting on his transition, Lee described his time at Google as formative. “After nearly nine years at Google, I am closing a chapter that has meant a great deal to me. These were defining years. We navigated regulatory scrutiny, fast-moving policy debates, and moments that demanded calm judgment and steady teamwork,” he said.
At OpenAI, Lee will focus on aligning innovation with policy frameworks, a balancing act that is becoming increasingly critical as AI adoption accelerates worldwide. Lee said, “When a technology is as powerful as AI, progress is not only about innovation. It is also about how thoughtfully we engage with governments, institutions, and communities to help ensure its benefits are shared broadly and responsibly.”
Lee brings more than two decades of experience spanning technology, investments and public policy. His career includes leadership roles at Airbnb, where he worked on regulatory frameworks in Asia, and academic positions at Yonsei University. He is also an alumnus of MIT Sloan School of Management and has contributed to research on AI governance and digital policy.
His appointment comes as OpenAI looks to strengthen its institutional presence globally, with Asia Pacific expected to play a central role in shaping the future of AI regulation and adoption.
As governments and companies race to define the rules of AI, OpenAI’s latest hire signals a clear intent to stay ahead of the policy curve while building trust in a rapidly transforming digital landscape.
