In today’s business environment, Artificial Intelligence has moved beyond the realm of futuristic theory to become the de facto operating system. Its evolution has been nothing short of remarkable, from content creation to the making of sound decisions. Yet for all the talk of ChatGPT and the like, a new kind of innovation is already upon us in the form of Agentic AI.
Rangoli Jaiswal is joined by Suraj Kumar for an in depth discussion on this very topic in the current episode of The Rangoli Show. As Practice Head for AI, Intelligent Automation and Enterprise Transformation at Sopra Steria, Suraj is well placed to talk about how AI is not only changing enterprises but also redefining what work looks like ahead. Backed by over 20 years of experience with global organisations, he offers a no-nonsense, business first view on one of the most pertinent technology subjects of the day.
From Mainframes to Agentic AI
There is much to be said for the technology journey that has brought Suraj here. He has seen it all, from the days of traditional mainframe computing through to cloud and process intelligence, and now to Generative and Agentic AI. In his view, while every one of those shifts has altered how a business runs, AI is in a category of its own.
Where earlier digital transformation was about putting the automation of repetitive tasks on autopilot, AI brings systems that can reason, learn and underpin your decision-making. These days, says Suraj, few organisations are debating if they should get on board with AI; they are concerned with how fast they can do so in a responsible manner.
ChatGPT Is Only the Beginning
To some, AI is synonymous with ChatGPT. Suraj would argue that is merely the tip of the iceberg. Generative AI has certainly put the technology within reach of millions, but the real advance is in Agentic AI. We are talking about systems which will not simply answer a prompt but can work alongside humans to plan and carry out multi-step processes on their own.
Think of an AI that can pull in business data, set off workflows, produce the reports and fine tune results with little need for human input. That is the direction of travel for the enterprise and, in many ways, the most significant change in enterprise tech since the advent of the cloud.
Enterprise AI Is About Business Value
One thing is clear from the conversation: you cannot adopt AI on the strength of technology alone. It is easy for an organisation to be taken with what AI can do and forget the people, the governance and the business objectives.
For Suraj, any initiative must start with a genuine business problem to solve. Be it to drive down costs, make decisions faster or put more productivity in the hands of the customer, the technology is there to deliver the outcome. This is what distinguishes a successful transformation from a costly exercise in experimentation.
Will AI Replace Jobs?
It is the question on everyone’s mind. Suraj puts it in perspective. AI will take over the manual and predictable elements of a role, but it is not going to replace the professional who can think critically, be creative and make strategic calls. Technological upheaval has always made way for new opportunities even as it changes old ones.
The onus is on the individual to keep learning and adapt. For anyone in the industry, that willingness to evolve is becoming the best investment one can make in a career. The Skills of the Future
While technical know-how will always have its place, Suraj makes the case that in an AI-driven world, it is human capabilities that will be at a premium. He puts forward a number of skills as being of the utmost importance:
– Adaptability and a commitment to lifelong learning
– The ability to think analytically and solve problems
– Strong communication and collaboration
– A sound grasp of business and what it takes to lead
– Curiosity, innovation and ethical judgment
When AI is left to the routine work, people will have more room to concentrate on strategy, to put forward better questions and to add real value. In short, the workforce of tomorrow will be defined by a blend of technical literacy and those strengths that are distinctly human.
On Agentic AI
Suraj offers a plain-spoken account of Agentic AI that stands out in the conversation. It is not like the conventional AI assistant that sits and waits for you to tell it what to do; this form of AI can plan its own course of action, deal with several systems at once and adjust as conditions warrant. For any enterprise the result is likely to be more efficient operations, quicker decisions and a higher level of productivity. The impact is felt well beyond the technology itself in how an organisation is run.
India’s Place in the AI Revolution
Global capital is flowing into AI at an unprecedented rate and India is in a position to be far more than just a services provider for tech. There is a large pool of talent here and a startup scene in full swing. But according to Suraj, if India is to make good on its potential as an innovation hub, there has to be an investment in education and research, and a willingness to foster responsible innovation and ties between the industry and academia. The countries that will get ahead are the ones that can put their talent and execution to work.
What Leadership Means in This New Era
You cannot buy some software and call it transformation. That is where leadership comes in. Suraj is insistent that to adopt AI successfully, leaders have to be open to change and to experimentation, and build a culture of learning. They must see to it that the technology is in step with the business strategy and that governance is in order. AI is intelligent, but it is the leader who gives it direction.
More Than Just Technology
This episode is worth your time because it does not dwell on the mechanics of algorithms. It gets to the human element of the change. How does one go about preparing for a career that may be unrecognisable in five years? What are the responsibilities of a leader in managing such shifts? These are the sort of questions any entrepreneur or professional should be considering.
A Practical Perspective
For the CXO, the founder or the student with an interest in what is happening in Artificial Intelligence, there is much to gain from listening in. Suraj Kumar steers clear of the hype and talks in terms of the measurable value that can be had from enterprise transformation and automation. With companies now looking to scale their AI efforts, a working knowledge of things like Agentic AI is becoming a necessity. Think of this as a roadmap for the next stage of digital transformation.
Watch the Full Episode
The Rangoli Show, from The Beyond Cover, is where you will find these kinds of substantive discussions with the innovators and CXOs of the day. We invite you to watch the complete interview with Suraj Kumar and see why the story of AI is really one of better decision-making and organisations ready to adapt. After all, AI is not taking the future from us. It is part of building it.
