The India Today-Business Today AI Conference 2024, with the theme "Forging the Future of Innovation," gathered some of the brightest minds in the industry to explore the transformative role that artificial intelligence (AI) is playing in shaping humanity’s future. The event offered a deep dive into AI’s growing presence in various sectors, touching on its potential to drive change in industries, businesses, and the daily lives of people around the world.
One of the key sessions at the conference featured CP Gurnani, Co-Founder and Executive Vice Chairman of AIonOS, and Aditya Ghosh, Co-Founder of Akasa Air and Founder of Homage. Both leaders offered thought-provoking insights into how AI is reshaping industries, leadership dynamics, and the relationship between humans and machines. They also discussed the impact of AI on productivity, decision-making, and innovation in business operations.
Gurnani began the discussion by drawing parallels between generative AI and earlier technological innovations, such as MS Word. He emphasized that the capabilities of AI are exponentially greater and represent a new era of productivity that will redefine how businesses function. “Generative AI is not just a tool but a platform for innovation,” he remarked, emphasizing that AI's potential will unlock efficiencies and capabilities previously unimaginable. Gurnani’s remarks painted a picture of AI’s role as a game-changer that will redefine business operations and personal productivity across industries.
Aditya Ghosh, meanwhile, celebrated the accessibility of AI, describing the current moment as a “magical time” in technological evolution, comparable to the Industrial Revolution. He highlighted that AI has transitioned from being confined to highly specialized, air-conditioned computer labs to becoming a ubiquitous presence that is accessible to everyone, not just programmers. “You don’t have to be a programmer to benefit from it,” he stated, pointing out that AI has evolved from being a niche tool used by a select few to becoming a core component of everyday business and life. This accessibility allows people from various industries to leverage AI without requiring deep technical knowledge, which in turn accelerates the pace of innovation.
Both Gurnani and Ghosh pushed back against the skepticism surrounding AI. Gurnani, in particular, emphasized that AI is not a passing trend. Drawing a comparison with blockchain technology, which initially faced skepticism but has now become a permanent fixture in the tech world, he argued that AI is evolving at a rapid pace and is here to stay. “The best is yet to come,” Gurnani said, underlining that AI is a transformative force that will continue to evolve and shape industries for decades to come. Ghosh echoed this sentiment, advising businesses to sift through the hype and focus on actionable opportunities that AI provides. “Skeptics are like ostriches with their heads in the sand,” he quipped, highlighting the importance of embracing AI’s full potential.
The discussion also focused on India’s unique position to become a global leader in AI innovation. Gurnani stressed that India must make strategic investments in AI infrastructure to maximize its potential. He called for the development of local large language models to reduce dependency on global systems. He further emphasized the need for organizations, both public and private, to allocate resources specifically for AI development, suggesting that every organization should have an “AI usage budget” to drive AI adoption and innovation.
Addressing the social and economic divide between urban and rural India, Ghosh argued that AI could help bridge the gap between "India" and "Bharat," a term used to describe the disparity between urban and rural India. He pointed out that AI has the power to transform sectors like financial inclusion, healthcare, and education, providing solutions that could make these essential services more accessible to people in rural areas. “AI offers solutions that can bring Bharat closer to India,” he said, emphasizing that AI is not only about technological progress but also about inclusivity and social equity.
Both leaders also discussed the critical importance of reskilling the workforce in an AI-driven world. Gurnani urged business leaders to create environments that encourage AI to complement human creativity. He highlighted the importance of skills like prompt engineering, which involves asking the right questions to optimize AI’s output. This skill, he argued, would be crucial in ensuring that AI becomes a tool for enhancing human capabilities rather than replacing them.
Drawing on his experience in the aviation industry, Ghosh reiterated that AI is not about replacing human roles but about augmenting them. He stressed that leaders must focus on adaptability and continuous learning to remain competitive in a world that increasingly relies on AI. By emphasizing the human-AI partnership, Ghosh underscored the need for businesses to prepare their workforce for this shift by offering reskilling opportunities and promoting a culture of upskilling.
As the session concluded, both panelists agreed on the immense opportunities AI offers to drive innovation, improve efficiency, and increase inclusion across sectors. They stressed the importance of embracing AI not just as a technological trend but as a critical tool for transforming industries and economies. Gurnani and Ghosh concluded by asserting that India, with its vast talent pool and entrepreneurial spirit, is poised to lead the global AI revolution. By making strategic investments in infrastructure, fostering a culture of learning, and focusing on inclusion, India could unlock new possibilities for growth and become a global hub for AI innovation.
The session highlighted the need for businesses to view AI as a collaborative tool, one that can amplify human creativity and potential rather than replace it. With AI continuing to evolve rapidly, Gurnani and Ghosh left the audience with a message of optimism and urgency—encouraging businesses and leaders to embrace AI now to fully harness its transformative power.
