'Want real impact on my P&L': AI honeymoon is over. India Inc now wants measurable business impact

After nearly three years of exploring generative AI, businesses in India are transitioning into a new era where mere flashy demos and chatbots are insufficient. As the adoption of AI matures, discussions in boardrooms are shifting from mere proof of concept to tangible proof of business value. CEOs are increasingly insisting on measurable impacts that reflect positively on the company's bottom line. Ankur Kothari, co-founder and Chief Operating Officer at Automation Anywhere, emphasized this change during a recent discussion at Business Today’s flagship event, Imagine India. He noted that the focus has shifted decisively from isolated AI applications to comprehensive enterprise-wide transformations. "Leadership within Indian enterprises is clear: they want more than just impressive use cases; they want genuine impact on their profits," Kothari remarked. This shift comes as organizations progress beyond the initial phases of generative AI adoption, which primarily included copilots, chatbots, and content generation tools. Companies are now aiming to automate entire business processes rather than just implementing AI in isolated functions. Kothari pointed out that while some Indian firms remain in the experimental phase, early adopters are actively rethinking their entire business operations and striving to make departments more autonomous over the next few years. Rather than pursuing scattered AI pilots, businesses are now opting for strategic deployments in select key functions. This change is also fueled by competitive pressures; companies are beginning to recognize AI not just as a means to cut costs but as a strategic asset that can drive growth, enhance customer experiences, and increase market share. Kothari cautioned that viewing AI solely as a cost-reduction tool could obscure its potential for providing a competitive edge. He stressed the importance of adopting a strategic perspective on AI, questioning how it can facilitate market share capture, particularly with competitors potentially moving ahead. According to him, the primary challenge is no longer the technology itself; rather, companies are wrestling with establishing a cohesive AI strategy amid rapid technological advancements. Enterprises are no longer debating whether AI can deliver returns but are focused on how to implement it effectively at scale with appropriate governance and operational models.