AI-ready culture: Machine speed, human ingenuity
"The future belongs to those who prepare for it today." – Malcolm X. Or, in the age of artificial intelligence, perhaps we should say, "The future belongs to those who set up their machines and their minds for it today." In a world where AI is progressing at machine speed, the question is not about whether AI should be adopted, but rather how to do it in a way that complements human ingenuity. The term "AI transformation" has become common in boardrooms and tech huddles throughout India. However, a closer look reveals that the majority of attempts are superficial. AI is being used to improve consumer experiences and automate workflows, which is useful but not transformational. The need of the hour is not AI capacity, but rather an AI-ready society. One that blends machine-like speed and precision with human creativity, ethics, and contextual intelligence.
AI in the Mirror: Adoption, not Absorption:
Across industries, AI is being treated like a smart assistant rather than a strategic partner. Yes its true, that we are enhancing customer experience with the deployment of AI-powered tools is and also streamlining operations, but this tends to be reactive, not visionary. The global context tells a similar story—adoption is accelerating, but understanding remains uneven.
India is strikingly ahead of the basic
AI adoption
curve. . As per IBM's Global AI Adoption Index, 59% of Indian businesses have either implemented or are exploring AI. That places us ahead of many developed nations. Yet this progress hasn't translated into leadership in
AI innovation
. We're using the tools—but not yet building the toolkits.
Meanwhile, global AI investments tell a different tale. In 2023 alone, private AI investment in the U.S. reached over $67 billion, with China following at nearly $8 billion. Companies like Amazon are betting big on foundational models, pouring billions into firms like Anthropic, OpenAI, Grok, DeepSeek—these names are defining the AI landscape. Most of them are not just global—they're non-Indian. That's a gap we need to confront head-on.
Firms around the world such as Tesla, Amazon, and Google have embraced AI on a core level, employing technology to drive innovation and reshape industries. In contrast, Indian businesses frequently use AI as a supporting role rather than a primary driver of company strategy. For example, while many Indian businesses utilize AI to improve customer service, few have invested in developing proprietary AI models or solutions tailored to their specific requirements.
Where Machines Accelerate, Minds Must Navigate.
Despite its strengths, artificial intelligence (AI) cannot replace human ingenuity and problem-solving. Instead, it is a tool for maximizing human potential. For example, while AI can analyze massive amounts of data in seconds, it needs human ingenuity to comprehend these discoveries and apply them to real-world problems. Companies such as OpenAI and DeepMind have shown that AI can be used to handle complicated challenges ranging from natural language processing to protein folding. However, these innovations are primarily pushed by enterprises outside of India, emphasizing the need for a culture transformation within Indian businesses.
My Journey and What It Has Taught Me:
Over the last 17 years, I've had the opportunity to start AI teams from scratch, scale them to hundreds throughout the world, and collaborate with business leaders from a variety of industries, including fashion, fintech, telecom, and retail. I've helped firms transition from gut-based decisions to data-driven cultures, from distrust to trust in algorithms, and from compartmentalized analytics divisions to AI-infused corporations.
One important lesson I've learned: culture eats technology for breakfast. You can have the best models in the world, but if people don't understand, trust, or know how to use them, they won't add value.
That's why I've always prioritized explainability, stakeholder education, and a 'test-and-learn' culture—so AI can truly integrate into the DNA of how businesses operate.
From Pilot Projects to a Shift in Philosophy
For India to shift from AI adaptation to AI innovation, we need a fundamental rethink—not of our tech stack, but of our mindset.
Here's what I think will help us get there.
• Leadership commitment: AI should be viewed as a business transformation tool, not a side project.
• Foster a learning-first culture by including all functions, not just technology, in AI discussions.
• Experimentation mindset: Accept failure, iterate swiftly, and celebrate learning.
• Empower champions: Give people passionate about AI a platform to lead from the front.
Finally, an
AI-ready culture
is something that must be created rather than purchased. And it begins with believing that we, too, have the ability to change the future rather than simply following it.
Conclusion
An AI-ready society is about people as much as technology. It is about giving employees the freedom to think freely, explore courageously, and interact effectively.
By combining the speed and efficiency of machines with the ingenuity and adaptability of humans, organizations can unlock the full potential of AI. For India, this cultural shift is not just an opportunity—it is a necessity. The question is, are we ready to embrace it?
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