Highlights
AI Transformation and the Future of Work
Artificial intelligence is no longer just a buzzword or experimental phase; it is actively changing business practices, according to Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia. As AI uptake accelerates, he emphasises that ongoing skilling will serve as the most crucial defence for both individuals and organisations facing significant technological shifts.
In a conversation with PTI, Chandok mentioned that the forthcoming phase of AI will hinge on its responsible, inclusive, and thoughtful scaling. He stated that AI is achieving tangible results now and that the focus should transition from trials to real-world outcomes.
Shifting from Scarcity to Abundance in Intelligence
One of Chandok’s significant insights is that intelligence will evolve from being limited to plentiful. With improvements in computational power and extensive models, businesses are stepping into an age of what he terms “unmetered intelligence,” where computational resources increasingly enhance cognitive and decision-making abilities.
In this new landscape, AI will function alongside humans as “digital colleagues,” handling tasks, analysing data, and aiding complex decisions. Nevertheless, Chandok stressed that human oversight will remain essential, with people directing AI systems and bearing responsibility for the results.
Simultaneously, business models are poised for a transformation. The emphasis on value creation will shift from effort and rigid processes towards quantifiable results, rapidity, and significant impact.
India’s Strategic Advantage in AI
Chandok underscored India’s distinctive position in the global AI landscape, attributing the country’s digital public infrastructure as a strong catalyst for widespread adoption. This infrastructure, coupled with AI, enables technology to scale across the population—from educational institutions and healthcare facilities to farms and industries.
This vision is the foundation of Microsoft’s largest investment in Asia to date. Earlier this month, during his visit to India, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella announced a substantial commitment of $17.5 billion to enhance cloud and AI infrastructure and bolster local AI capabilities to foster an AI-first future.
Chandok noted that India has already reached a pivotal moment in this journey. In sectors such as aviation, healthcare, finance, and manufacturing, companies are redesigning fundamental operations using AI. He remarked that whether it’s Air India rethinking customer engagement, Apollo Hospitals assisting clinicians, ICICI Lombard reformulating core processes, or Asian Paints innovating, India has progressed from experimenting with AI to practically integrating it.
Jobs, Tasks, and the Need for Continuous Skilling
As AI becomes an integral part of daily work routines, Chandok pointed out that jobs themselves are evolving. Roles are becoming deconstructed into specific tasks, careers are increasingly fluid, and conventional career paths are giving way to skill-based trajectories. In this new world, the capacity for continuous learning is the most sustainable advantage.
He asserted that skilling is vital for resilience in the age of AI, highlighting Microsoft’s aim to equip 20 million individuals in India by 2030 with the necessary skills to engage in and influence the AI revolution.
Chandok’s focus on lifelong learning resonates with a growing consensus among international business executives. Satya Nadella has continuously promoted a “learn-it-all” mentality as AI becomes more prevalent in automating routine tasks. Google CEO Sundar Pichai has also underlined the importance of adaptability and continuous education in an economy increasingly driven by AI.
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, cautions that although AI may surpass humans in various cognitive functions, individuals who consistently enhance their skills will maintain their relevance alongside intelligent systems. Similarly, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has discussed how AI agents will take over repetitive tasks, allowing humans to concentrate on creativity and judgement—as long as they possess the right skills.
For Chandok, these insights converge to a distinct conclusion: in a future powered by AI characterised by ample intelligence and swift transformation, skills—not job titles—will emerge as the real currency.
