Salesforce’s Arundhati Bhattacharya says AI must be explainable as Indian firms move to agentic systems

Indian businesses are entering an exciting new era of artificial intelligence (AI) implementation, transitioning from initial pilot projects to comprehensive deployments of autonomous systems. According to Arundhati Bhattacharya, head of Salesforce South Asia, this shift is marked by an increasing reliance on AI agents to manage core operations. Bhattacharya noted that while 2025 was a year for experimentation with AI agents, the coming years will witness a significant advancement for Indian enterprises. This evolution will see a movement from single-agent applications to a more complex, multi-agent orchestration. In this new landscape, AI agents will no longer just perform tasks but will take on the responsibility of achieving outcomes, functioning proactively across different business functions and making real-time decisions. The transition from isolated AI tools to cohesive digital workforces signifies a pivotal change in operational and scaling strategies. Bhattacharya emphasized that the next wave of AI adoption will not merely layer technology onto existing processes. Instead, it aims to cultivate connected intelligence, where human employees and AI systems collaborate as integrated partners within cohesive frameworks. "When knowledge flows without barriers, decision-making becomes smarter, and execution can be scaled effectively, organizations can unleash their competitive edge," she explained. As these autonomous agents become integral to key business functions, Bhattacharya highlighted that the growing complexity in operations necessitates a focus on transparency and safeguards. "The complexities we face have clarified that AI cannot remain a black box. It needs to be explainable, secure, and designed to enhance human decision-making rather than replace it," she stated. Looking forward to 2026, enterprises are expected to showcase how these agentic systems can boost efficiency and foster innovation while maintaining accountability to customers, employees, and regulatory bodies. Given the diverse economic, linguistic, and digital landscapes in which they operate, Indian enterprises are in a prime position to spearhead this transition. However, Bhattacharya stressed that the success of these AI systems hinges on their robustness, adaptability, and grounding in the complexities of real-world environments. "Trust will be crucial for scaling digital workforces. This trust must be built on solid data foundations, governed by clear policies, and supported by human oversight to ensure accountability throughout every level of the organization," she said. To thrive in this evolving landscape, business leaders should concentrate on three key priorities: investing in AI literacy, establishing governance frameworks, and nurturing a culture of continuous learning.