Buffett’s remarks came at Berkshire’s annual meeting on Friday when Rajeev Agarwal of DoorDarshi Advisors, a US-based hedge fund that invests in Indian equities, asked him about the possibility of Berkshire exploring in India, the world’s fifth-largest economy. “It is a very good question. I am sure there are loads of opportunities in countries like India,” he said.
“The question, however, is whether we have any advantage or insights into those businesses in India or any contacts that will make possible transactions that Berkshire would like to participate in. That is something a more energetic management at Berkshire could pursue,” the co-founder, chairman and chief executive of Berkshire Hathaway said.
Buffett, 93, said Berkshire has a great reputation around the world. He said, his Japanese experience has been fascinating enough.
“There may be an unexplored or an unattended opportunity…but that may be something in the future,” he said about India.Buffett said the question is if Berkshire has some kind of advantage in pursuing those unattended opportunities, particularly against people who are managing other people’s money and getting paid based on assets.During a Question and Answer session, Buffett answered several questions related to some of the key investment decisions taken by Berkshire Hathway lately.Decidedly reducing stake in Apple was one of the key topics. Buffett clarified that it had nothing to do with the long-term view on the stock and Apple will probably remain one of their largest holdings despite the recent slowdown.
He also told shareholders that vice chairmen Greg Abel and Ajit Jain have proven themselves the right people to lead Berkshire after he departs.
Cautions against AI
Buffett also cautioned the tens of thousands of shareholders who packed an arena for his annual meeting that artificial intelligence scams could become “the growth industry of all time.”
Doubling down on his cautionary words from last year, Buffett told the throngs he recently came face to face with the downside of AI. And it looked and sounded just like him. Someone made a fake video of Buffett, apparently convincing enough that the so-called Oracle of Omaha himself said he could imagine it tricking him into sending money overseas.