Industry leaders on AI Appreciation Day
Mr. CP Gurnani, Co-Founder and Vice Chairman, AIONOS, said,
“Artificial Intelligence is at its best when it’s applied intelligence. The AI worth appreciating is the kind that reaches someone who never had access before. That’s the real story of India. We sit on 1.4 billion people generating data every single day, and the moment we stop treating that as infrastructure and start treating it as opportunity, everything changes. I’ve already seen glimpses of what’s possible: a chatbot answering a farmer’s questions about government schemes in his own language, frontline health workers using an app to catch newborn malnutrition early enough to save a life. If this is what’s happening at the early stages, I can only imagine what the next few years will bring. On AI Appreciation Day, I’m not just celebrating the technology, I’m celebrating who it’s about to reach next.”
Mr. Agendra Kumar, Managing Director, Esri India, said,
“AI adoption has accelerated significantly in recent years. According to McKinsey’s State of AI 2026 survey, 88% of organizations globally now use AI in at least one business function, with generative AI adoption nearly doubling since 2023. This rapid evolution is transforming how organizations understand and respond to the world around them, enabling faster analysis, deeper insights and more informed decision-making across industries.
At Esri India, this transformation is central to our work in Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI). By combining the power of AI with spatial intelligence, we help our customers extract actionable insights from satellite imagery, drone data and other complex geospatial datasets at greater speed and scale. Our ₹150 crore investment in GeoAI reflects our conviction that AI is fundamental to the future. By building world-class AI talent and capabilities, we are strengthening the foundation for the next generation of geospatial innovation. AI will continue to evolve, and our focus is on harnessing its potential responsibly to create lasting value for our customers, accelerate digital transformation, and contribute to India’s AI-driven growth.”
Mr. Shrikrishna Dikshit, Partner – Digital & Cyber Security, Baker Tilly ASA India LLP
“AI is changing the way businesses operate, but its real value lies in helping people make better decisions, not replacing them. On AI Appreciation Day, it’s worth recognizing that the technology is becoming an integral part of how organizations manage finance, compliance, risk and business strategy. While AI can simplify processes, improve efficiency and uncover valuable insights, human judgment, ethics and accountability remain just as important. As businesses continue to embrace AI, the focus should be on using it responsibly and thoughtfully creating solutions that are transparent, secure and built to deliver long-term value for businesses, employees and society alike.”
