Highlights:
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Rishad Premji says Indian IT firms are keeping pace with global AI adoption
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AI is viewed as a growth driver rather than a threat to jobs or revenue
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Client discussions are shifting from pilots to production-level AI use
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Roles are evolving as AI takes over routine tasks
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AI adoption remains early but continues to expand steadily
At the World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos, Wipro Executive Chairman Rishad Premji said Indian IT services companies are adapting well to the rise of artificial intelligence and are not lagging behind global peers. Speaking on the sidelines of the Davos gathering, Rishad Premji said Indian IT is responding quickly as AI becomes a central part of enterprise strategy worldwide.
The comments come at a time when artificial intelligence is reshaping technology spending, operating models, and workforce structures across industries. According to Rishad Premji, Indian IT firms are not treating AI as a disruption to be resisted, but as a shift that requires faster adaptation and clearer execution.
Rishad Premji says Indian IT is moving fast enough on AI
In an interview with Moneycontrol on Wednesday (21), Rishad Premji addressed concerns around whether Indian IT companies are keeping up with the pace of AI adoption seen globally. He said discussions with clients have moved beyond early-stage testing and are now focused on real business use cases.
“The broader question of whether Indian IT is moving fast enough, my submission is yes,” Premji said. “I think we are moving fast enough.”
According to Rishad Premji, this shift signals growing confidence among clients in the value of AI. Rather than limiting AI to proof-of-concept projects, companies are increasingly deploying AI in live environments where it can influence outcomes, efficiency, and decision-making.
Client demand shifts from pilots to production, says Rishad Premji
Rishad Premji said one of the most visible changes in recent months is the nature of conversations Indian IT companies are having with global clients. Earlier discussions centered on experimentation and pilots. Now, clients are asking how AI can be deployed at scale.
“The mindset has moved from pilot projects to adopting AI on a production basis,” he said. At the same time, Rishad Premji cautioned that AI adoption is still at an early stage for most organizations and will take time to mature.
He noted that current use cases are largely focused on simpler, functional tasks. These early deployments, however, are laying the groundwork for deeper integration of AI into core business processes over time.
Rishad Premji: AI is an opportunity, not a threat, for Indian IT
Addressing broader concerns around business models, Rishad Premji said Indian IT companies see artificial intelligence as a growth opportunity rather than a risk. He said large IT firms are adjusting their offerings to include consulting, data platforms, AI models, and large-scale delivery capabilities.
“Indian IT is clever,” Premji said. “It understands that business models are changing, and companies want to be part of that change.”
According to Rishad Premji, Indian IT firms are focusing on becoming more productive and effective by changing how work is delivered. AI is being used to improve efficiency, automate repetitive tasks, and support better decision-making across projects.
Rishad Premji on jobs, roles, and revenue impact of AI
One of the most persistent concerns around artificial intelligence is its impact on employment and revenue growth. Rishad Premji addressed this directly, saying AI-led transformation does not automatically translate into job losses or declining income.
“It doesn’t mean fewer people or lower revenues,” he explained. “It just means a redistribution of what you’re doing.”
According to Rishad Premji, as AI takes over routine and repetitive work, roles within IT services will evolve. New roles will emerge that require different skills, while existing roles will change in scope and focus. He emphasized that adaptation, rather than elimination, is the dominant trend.
World Economic Forum context and Rishad Premji’s message
The World Economic Forum annual meeting in Davos brings together political leaders, business executives, and global institutions to discuss economic and technological change. This year’s event included nearly 3,000 participants from more than 130 countries and concluded on January 23.
Against this backdrop, Rishad Premji’s comments reflect a broader confidence within Indian IT that the sector can remain competitive as AI adoption accelerates globally. While acknowledging that AI is still in its early stages of deployment, Rishad Premji said steady progress is being made.
Rishad Premji’s outlook on the future of Indian IT and AI
Overall, Rishad Premji presented a measured but optimistic assessment of Indian IT’s position in an AI-driven economy. He said the sector is adjusting its delivery models, building new capabilities, and responding to client needs as AI moves from experimentation to execution.
Rather than viewing artificial intelligence as a job killer or a threat to existing revenue streams, Rishad Premji said Indian IT companies are treating it as a tool to reshape how work is done and how value is delivered.
As AI adoption expands gradually across industries, Rishad Premji’s remarks underline a central message from Davos 2026: Indian IT is not standing still, and it is moving fast enough to stay relevant in a changing global technology landscape.
