If coding becomes automated, why are we...? Infosys chairman Nandan Nilekani answers

Nandan Nilekani, chairman of Infosys Ltd, has addressed concerns regarding the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the future of IT services. He emphasized that AI is unlikely to completely supplant traditional IT roles but rather serves to enhance and modernize technology solutions. Presenting the company's annual report, Nilekani assured shareholders that the demand for Infosys’s expertise is growing, countering fears that AI could render such skills obsolete. In his remarks, Nilekani stated, "More than three years after the introduction of Generative AI, we can confidently assert that Infosys is more relevant than ever, with a promising future ahead. The transition from predictable to probabilistic machines is transformative, reshaping the nature of work itself." With the rise of AI-powered tools from companies like Anthropic and OpenAI, many investors have voiced their worries about the diminishing role of traditional IT services. This anxiety has led to a significant decline in IT stock valuations, with Infosys shares dropping over 28% since the start of the year. In light of this, Nilekani reassured investors that the need for IT services will persist, despite the disruptive nature of AI technologies. "As AI is a major transformative force, the inquiries and doubts surrounding its impact are more pronounced than ever. We face the critical question: If coding becomes automated, what is our role?" he pondered. He went on to highlight the ongoing need for rigorous testing, robust systems, cybersecurity, and comprehensive IT modernization to keep pace with the rapid advancements driven by AI. Furthermore, Nilekani advocated for new business models to navigate the evolving landscape of IT. "We are ready for this challenge. We will equip our workforce for this new era and utilize the increased productivity to explore new accounts and service offerings," he stated. Last year, Infosys reported an annual revenue of $20.16 billion, reflecting a year-on-year growth of 4.6%, and its workforce increased to 328,594 employees, up by 5,016 from the previous year.