Uttar Pradesh aims to become an artificial intelligence hub at CII summit

Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Tech Mahindra, stated that artificial intelligence (AI) will not destroy the IT services sector but rather make it more significant. Speaking to shareholders at Tech Mahindra's 39th Annual General Meeting (AGM), he dispelled concerns that the rise of AI would lead to a decline in IT services in India.

The Evolution of IT Services in the Age of AI

Mahindra emphasized that while the role of IT services will change, it will not diminish. He noted that over four decades, Tech Mahindra has successfully adapted to new technological cycles, customer expectations, and global realities. In his view, the coming phase could be the most important, as AI challenges old models but simultaneously opens one of the industry's largest opportunities—helping enterprises and governments transform information into tangible impact.

The Company's Role in the AI Ecosystem

He compared AI to smartphones, explaining that smartphones are indispensable because of their applications and connectivity. Similarly, in the age of AI, companies like Tech Mahindra provide the necessary 'support layer,' turning powerful technology into an intelligent business partner that delivers real value. Mahindra also highlighted the complexity of implementing AI in a corporate environment. He added that the true distinction of an enterprise lies in its own 'alpha'—that is, its data, workflows, judgment, and industry knowledge. Tech Mahindra's task, he said, is to help preserve this 'alpha' through platforms, solutions, and workflows that surround the AI model.

Vision for the Future and Project Helix

Mahindra mentioned the company's recent successes, which demonstrate margin expansion despite market volatility, under the leadership of CEO and MD Mohit Joshi. He reported that the company's deals have exceeded one billion dollars in consecutive quarters. The Chairman noted that clients will need partners who understand that transformation through AI is not just a technological project, but a change in business processes, talent, and operating model. His vision is that future enterprises will combine human judgment enhanced by AI capabilities, rather than consisting solely of humans or AI. To realize this concept, the company launched Project Helix, under which 'Vector Squads' combine human expertise with AI agents, much like two strands of DNA, integrating industry knowledge, engineering depth, governance, and responsible AI principles within the context of each client.

A Call for Indigenous AI Development

Furthermore, Mahindra called on India not to remain merely a consumer of foreign intelligence developments but to become their creator, shaper, and trusted implementer. He pointed to India's unique advantage, which he termed 'negation-driven innovation.' He cited the example of the PARAM supercomputer: when India was denied access to Cray systems in the 1980s, C-DAC created its own machine in three years for less cost. Over ten years, India exported supercomputers. This same instinct, in his opinion, should be applied to sovereign AI: this is not about isolation or dependence, but about creating one's own trusted and governed critical AI systems. In this context, Mahindra stressed that Tech Mahindra's choice within India's AI Mission is a responsibility the company takes very seriously.