
AI Barbie coming soon? Mattel partners with OpenAI to launch first ever AI product later this year
Mattel has teamed up with OpenAI to develop toys and games with artificial intelligence, and expects to launch its first AI-powered product later this year, the Barbie-maker said on Thursday. The company, which also makes Hot Wheels and Uno cards, plans to "bring the magic of AI to age-appropriate play experiences with an emphasis on innovation, privacy, and safety," it said.advertisementThe move comes at a time when toy manufacturers are battling a muted demand backdrop as consumers rein in spending to brace for the economic fallout of US President Trump's shifting trade policy.Mattel will also incorporate OpenAI's advanced AI tools like ChatGPT Enterprise into its business operations to enhance product innovation, the company said.
"With OpenAI, Mattel has access to an advanced set of AI capabilities alongside new tools to enable productivity, creativity, and company-wide transformation at scale," said OpenAI operating chief Brad Lightcap.Over the last year, Mattel has relied on producing films, TV shows and mobile games based on its products such as Hot Wheels and Barbie to offset a slowdown in its core toy business.Last month, Mattel withdrew its annual forecast and said it would raise prices on some products sold domestically in a bid to mitigate higher supply chain costs.
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Hans India
16 minutes ago
- Hans India
Middle East flares may weigh down markets
Pumped up by US President Trump's statement about decision of US direct involvement in the Israel-Iran conflict in next two weeks, the strong rally on Friday helped market erase previous few sessions losses to close on optimism. For the week, the BSE Sensex index added 1,289.57 points or 1.58 per cent to finish at 82,408.17, and on the NSE, the Nifty gained 393.8 points or 1.59 per cent to end at 25,112.40. Broader markets underperformed benchmark indices, the BSE Mid-cap Index was down 0.4 per cent and the BSE Small-cap index shed nearly 2 per cent. Sector wise, Nifty Private Bank index rose 1.6 per cent, Nifty Auto index added 1.5 per cent, Nifty Information Technology index rose 1.3 per cent. However, Nifty Media index shed 3 per cent and Nifty Pharma index fell 1.7 per cent, Nifty Metal and PSU Bank indices shed 1.3 per cent each. FIIs snapped four week selling with purchases of equities worth Rs 8,709.60 crore in current week. DIIs continued their buying for ninth straight week with purchases of equities worth Rs 12,635.58 crore. Domestic factors such as a decline in India's wholesale inflation and the RBI's relaxation of lending norms supported the market's upward momentum amid Middle East concerns. The rupee witnessed a sharp fall last week. The fall to 86.60 on the Indian rupee (86.59) has happened much faster than expected. Rise in crude oil prices on the back of the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict is weighing on the domestic currency. The US Federal Reserve meeting last week largely turned out to be a non-event for the markets. The Fed kept the rates unchanged at 4.25-4.5 per cent. It also retained its forecast for another 50-basis points rate cuts for the rest of the year. However, the central bank had revised its inflation forecast higher. The higher revision has been attributed to the uncertainty prevailing over the impacts of higher tariffs. Weekend factors like US B-2 Bombers making incursions into Iran and with Israel and Iran continuing to exchange missile strikes will cast shadow on markets when markets open in the coming week. Looking ahead, traders may brace for heightened volatility as geopolitical tensions remain elevated. Iran has launched a retaliatory wave of missiles toward Israel, hours after U.S. airstrikes targeted its nuclear facilities in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan; and Iran's foreign minister stated that Tehran is willing to consider diplomacy only once Israel halts its aggression. Watch carefully the developments because of its impact on international crude oil prices. IPO Corner: After a long time, the primary market is going to see some intense action in a 'energetic week' with 13 (IPOs) hitting the D-Street. The companies will be raising nearly Rs 16,000 crore during the week, with five mainboard public issues up for grabs. The positive broader picture of the equity market, despite near-term concerns led by the Middle East and tariff-driven volatility, appears to be the reason for strong primary market action. Mumbai-based real estate developer Kalpataru is slated to raise Rs 1,590 crore via IPO. The IPO price band has been set at Rs 387 to Rs 414. New Delhi-headquartered EPC company Globe Civil Projects plans to garner Rs 119 crore through IPO. The IPO price band has been set at Rs 67 to Rs 71. Industrial gases provider Ellenbarrie Industrial Gases plans to mop up Rs 852.53 crore via the public issue. The IPO price band has been set at Rs 380 to Rs 400. Electric resistance welded steel pipes and structural tubes maker Sambhv Steel Tubes plans to raise up to Rs 540 crore. However, the biggest public issue of the current year will be from HDB Financial Services with a size of Rs 12,500 crore. The IPO price band has been set at Rs 700 to Rs 740. This remains the most anticipated issue among the pack. The SME segment will also see top action with 7 IPOs opening for subscription. Reports indicate that Tata Capital is closing in on a blockbuster Rs 17,200 crore IPO, after receiving regulatory clearance for its confidential draft prospectus. Expect some shift in fund flows from both retail investors and institutions from secondary market to IPO segment. The fresh wave of equity supply via initial public offerings (IPOs) can be a key risk to Indian stock market. If you think investing is gambling, you're doing it wrong. The work involved requires planning and patience. However, the gains you see over time are indeed exciting. FUTURES & OPTIONS / SECTOR WATCH With the broader indices Nifty and Bank Nifty locked in a tight range, derivative segment witnessed mild bouts of alternate buying and selling in stock futures. Despite ongoing tensions between Iran and Israel, indices ended the week on a positive note. In the options market, prominent Call open interest for Nifty was seen at the 25,500 and 25,300 strike, while the notable Put open interest was at the 25,000 and 24,800 strike. For Bank Nifty, the prominent Call open interest was seen at the 57,000 and 56,500 strikes, whereas notable Put open interest was at the 56,000 strike. Implied volatility (IV) for Nifty's Call options settled at 13.51%, while Put options concluded at 14.06%. The India VIX, a key market volatility indicator, closed the week at 14.26%. The Put-Call Ratio Open Interest (PCR OI) for the week was 1.06. Nifty is currently trading near its resistance level of 25,200. A breakout above this level could lead to a further move towards 25,500. On the downside, immediate support is placed at the psychological level of 25,000, followed by strong support at 24,800. As long as Nifty holds above 24,800, the market can be considered a buy-on-dips. Watch out for breakout attempts near resistance and potential reversal signs around the key levels. As always, manage risk with discipline and stay anchored to price confirmation. Stocks looking good are Ashok Leyland, BEL, Bharti Airtel, Indus Towers, Trent, Kaynes and Wipro. Stocks looking weak are ATGL, Bluestar, RVNL, Shree Cements, Tata Chemicals, Unominda and Voltas. (The author is a senior maket analyst and former vice- chairman, Andhra Pradesh State Planning Board)

Economic Times
20 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Indian rupee, bonds under pressure as US strike on Iran deepens Middle East conflict
The Indian rupee and government bonds are poised to face pressure this week following a U.S. strike on Iran, raising concerns of higher oil prices and potential retaliation that could deepen the conflict in the Middle East. ADVERTISEMENT The rupee had closed at 86.5850 against the U.S. dollar on Friday, down 0.6% on the week. U.S. President Donald Trump said late on Saturday that the country had struck Iran's main nuclear sites, aligning with an Israeli offensive in a significant escalation of the ongoing Middle East tensions. Tehran called the attack a grave violation of international law and vowed to defend itself. In a televised address, Trump warned Iran against retaliating, stating that any response would trigger further attacks unless Iran agreed to pursue peace. Concerns over a potential escalation of the conflict had already driven oil prices higher this month, and analysts now anticipate an additional increase of $3 to $5 per barrel in reaction to the U.S. strikes. ADVERTISEMENT Brent crude oil futures closed at $77 per barrel on Friday, up nearly 4% on week. Elevated energy prices are a pain point for the Indian rupee and government bonds, as oil is a major component of India's import bill. ADVERTISEMENT A "flight to safety is likely to reinforce the dollar's strength against the Indian rupee and other major currencies," said Dilip Parmar, a foreign exchange research analyst at HDFC Securities. The rupee could weaken towards 87.50 in the near-term, Parmar added. Traders reckon that the Reserve Bank of India would likely step in to curb excessive volatility. ADVERTISEMENT The rupee may find immediate support around 87.50-87.60 but will remain acutely sensitive to developments in the Middle East, said a trader at a state-run bank. Foreign portfolio flows related to a upcoming large IPO alongside remarks from U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, scheduled for Tuesday, will be among other cues in focus for the rupee this week. ADVERTISEMENT Meanwhile, India's 10-year benchmark 6.33% 2035 bond yield ended at 6.3087% on Friday. Traders expect it to move in a range of 6.30% to 6.40% this week. "A $10 per barrel rise in crude could widen India's current account deficit by 0.3% of GDP and elevate inflation, eroding real yields," CR Forex said. Earlier this month, the RBI reduced its inflation forecast for the current fiscal year to 3.7% and cut its key lending rate by a steeper-than-expected 50 basis points. A big rate cut would assure stakeholders of India's focus on economic growth and aid in faster transmission, members of rate setting panel wrote in the June policy minutes. However, it reverted to a "neutral" stance from "accommodative", prompting analysts to forecast an end to the monetary easing cycle. "International uncertainties make RBI think it is necessary to front load the monetary easing to boost growth. But RBI may take longer to see the impact before implementing another cut going forward. Looking forward, we see RBI to stay on hold for next few months, said Alaa Bushehri, head of emerging market Debt, BNP Paribas Asset Management. KEY EVENTS: ** June HSBC India manufacturing, services and composite Flash PMI - June 23, Monday (10:30 a.m. IST) U.S. ** June S&P Global manufacturing, services and composite Flash PMI - June 23, Monday (7:15 p.m. IST) ** May existing home sales - June 23, Monday (7:30 p.m. IST) ** June consumer confidence - June 24, Tuesday (7:30 p.m. IST) ** May new home sales units - June 25, Wednesday (7:30 p.m. IST) ** May durable goods - June 26, Thursday (7:30 p.m. IST) ** January-March GDP final - June 26, Thursday (6:00 p.m. IST)(Reuters poll -0.2%) ** Initial weekly jobless claims for week to June 16 - June 26, Thursday (6:00 p.m. IST) ** May personal consumption expenditure index, core PCE index - June 27, Friday (6:00 p.m. IST) ** June U Mich sentiment final - June 27, Friday (7:30 p.m. IST)


Time of India
23 minutes ago
- Time of India
Why stock market is falling today? Key factors behind 700-point Sensex crash, Nifty below 24,900
Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty50 opened lower on Monday, tracking weakness in Asian peers, as investors remained cautious amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following U.S. airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear facilities. The BSE Sensex was trading 745 points, or 0.90%, lower at 81,662, while the Nifty50 slipped 217 points, or 0.87%, to 24,895 around 9:40 am. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like If you eat ginger every day for a month, your body will experience the following phenomena Tips and Tricks Undo The market capitalisation of all listed companies on the BSE declined by nearly Rs 2 lakh crore to Rs 44.75 lakh crore in early trade. Sector-wise, Nifty IT fell over 1% amid concerns over continued weakness in global tech spending, after Accenture reported its third consecutive year-on-year decline in outsourcing orders. Nifty Bank, Financial Services, Auto, FMCG, and Consumer Durables also opened 0.5% to 1% lower. Key factors behind today's market decline: Live Events 1) Spike in crude prices after US strikes on Iran Markets came under pressure after crude oil prices surged to their highest levels since January, following U.S. airstrikes on key Iranian nuclear sites. Brent crude rose $1.33 (1.76%) to $76.79 a barrel as of 9:05 AM IST, while WTI gained $1.39 (1.88%) to $75.26. Earlier in the session, Brent had touched $81.40 and WTI $78.40 — both five-month highs — before paring gains. The rally was triggered after U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed a joint strike with Israel targeting Iran's main nuclear facilities. The escalation raised concerns of a wider Middle East conflict, with Iran vowing to retaliate. As Iran is OPEC's third-largest oil producer, fears intensified over a potential closure of the Strait of Hormuz — a vital chokepoint that handles nearly 20% of global crude shipments. Iran's Press TV reported that its parliament approved a measure to block the strait, though such threats have not materialized in the past. 2) Weakness in IT stocks after Accenture sell-off The Nifty IT index fell over 1% in early trade on Monday, weighed down by Infosys, HCL Tech, OFSS, and TCS, after Accenture shares slumped 7% in U.S. trading on Friday. The fall came despite the company beating revenue estimates for Q3, raising concerns about future demand and sector sentiment. Accenture reported revenue of $17.7 billion for the quarter ended May 31, ahead of the $17.3 billion estimate. The growth was supported by enterprise demand for AI-driven services. However, the sharp decline in share price highlighted investor concerns over declining margins and a muted outlook across key business verticals. Accenture also flagged a weak U.S. federal contracting environment amid spending cuts under the Trump administration, adding to investor unease.