In an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18, the former Infosys chief urged businesses to stop regarding AI as a mere trend on the horizon.
“The wave has struck,” Sikka asserted. “It’s no longer a matter of saying, ‘Oh look, the wave is arriving.’ The water is already in our living room. The wave is here.”
He believes that this technology will redefine conventional working methods and give rise to completely new opportunities.
“It will eliminate the old ways of operating,” he stated.
From years of effort to one hour
Sikka shared a personal story that reinforced his belief in AI’s ability to transform.
He mentioned that he successfully rebuilt a system in under an hour that had previously taken two-and-a-half years and the efforts of hundreds of engineers.
“A project that initially involved 500 people working overtime for two and a half years, only to be done by me alone in one hour. And it worked,” he recalled.
This revelation left him amazed.
“I was baffled for days. What on earth just happened?” he said.
Implications for companies
Sikka emphasizes that AI can greatly reduce the time and expenses involved in completing existing tasks. However, success will hinge on whether businesses can effectively reinvent themselves.
“The fate of companies will depend significantly on our ability to transform in time,” he expressed.
He likened the current situation to Netflix’s evolution from DVDs to streaming.
“When streaming became sufficiently advanced, they effectively sidelined their former DVD business and made streaming their primary focus,” Sikka explained.
Such significant shifts may soon be essential for many organizations, he added.
Smaller teams achieving more
Sikka anticipates that individuals and small teams, armed with AI, will accomplish tasks that once required large organizations.
“There will be individuals and small groups capable of doing these tasks,” he remarked.
He believes that companies have little option but to adapt quickly.
“How swiftly do you transition to that new paradigm? To me, that’s the crucial divide,” he stated.
Numerous AI agents per worker
The Vianai leader also envisions a future where AI agents are ubiquitous.
“Absolutely, in fact, more than that. You’ll have hundreds of agents,” he noted.
He gave an example of his nephew, who utilizes around 150 AI agents to manage tasks including household chores, work responsibilities, communications, coding repositories, and shopping.
According to Sikka, these digital assistants are poised to significantly boost human productivity.
“We often overlook the remarkable potential these new tools present to us,” he said.
Rather than replacing jobs, AI could lead to an increase in work.
“Instead of 300 times as many images, you’ll see 300 times as much work being generated, often without us even realizing it. We’ll adapt,” Sikka said.
Supporting businesses in the AI revolution
When asked about his vision for Vianai Systems, Sikka shared that his aim is to assist organizations in navigating the impending disruption.
“My aspiration is to help businesses prosper,” he concluded.
Watch the full conversation here
“AI is a monumental wave that we’ve initiated. Businesses must adapt to ride this wave. I aim to assist them in navigating through it, all while fostering an environment where many can flourish.”
