AI Appreciation Day | How AI is Driving Progress in IT

Agendra Kumar, Managing Director, Esri India, said, “AI is transforming the world by unlocking new possibilities across every sector. From automating routine tasks to generating deep insights from massive datasets, it is enabling faster, smarter decision-making. The integration of AI into geospatial workflows is transforming how we collect, analyze, and share spatial data. We are calling this Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI). With GeoAI, users across sectors are able to derive actionable insights from satellite imagery, drone videos, unstructured text, and more at unprecedented speed and scale. Additionally, natural language-powered AI assistants are making GIS more accessible, enabling users to interact with complex spatial datasets simply by describing what they need in plain English or even in their native language. These advancements are happening now, and our newly launched GIS and AI Centre is a step towards democratizing this potential, empowering users across domains to solve real-world problems more intelligently and intuitively.”

Naresh B. Wadhwa, Vice-Chairman & Managing Director, Videonetics, explained, “As we celebrate AI Appreciation Day, it is essential to recognize that the true potential of AI lies not just in automating tasks, but in empowering intelligent, real-time decision-making across critical environments. At Videonetics, we believe in building what we call ‘True AI’: AI that is explainable, contextual, and deeply integrated with real-world scenarios.

From enhancing urban safety to streamlining traffic systems and securing vital infrastructure, our mission is to enable organisations to look deeper into video data and derive actionable insights that drive impact. India has the talent, scale, and ambition to lead the next wave of AI innovation, and we are proud to be building world-class, Made-in-India solutions that are already transforming how cities and enterprises think about security and intelligence.

AI is not just the future; it is the foundation of smarter, safer societies, and it must be built responsibly, for people and with purpose.”

Chaitali Moitra, Regional Director, South Asia, Turnitin, explained, “Artificial intelligence is transforming how we learn, create, and solve problems. It is important to recognize AI as a collaborative ally rather than just a tool. When integrated thoughtfully, AI can support educators and students by offering new ways to explore ideas, provide feedback, and foster originality. The challenge and opportunity lie in using AI responsibly balancing innovation with transparency. By embracing AI as a partner, we encourage a future where technology enhances human creativity and integrity, helping learners develop skills that will be essential in tomorrow’s world.”

Vasanthi Ramesh, VP- Engineering and Managing Director, NetApp India, said, “On AI Appreciation Day, it’s essential to reflect on the transformative role AI continues to play across industries worldwide. With data volumes now far outpacing our human ability to process and respond, AI isn’t just valuable, it’s essential. With the rise of open large language models (LLMs), businesses are navigating an increasingly competitive global landscape for AI leadership. NetApp’s AI Space Race report reveals that this momentum is shared across geographies: 81% of CEO’s and IT executives surveyed highlighted that they are currently piloting or scaling AI initiatives, and 88% believe their organizations are mostly or fully prepared to sustain long-term AI transformation. That said, winning the AI race will require intelligent data strategies and robust infrastructures – supported by agile, secure, and scalable cloud solutions. Regardless of industry, size, or geography, organizations must invest in resilient infrastructure that enables real innovation. Because in the AI Space Race, success will be defined by the ability to turn data into lasting competitive advantage.”

Aveekshith Bushan, Vice President & General Manager, APJ – Aerospike, said, “As artificial intelligence evolves from static models to dynamic agents, the infrastructure that powers it must evolve too. Today’s AI doesn’t just analyze—it acts. This shift toward agentic AI requires real-time data flows, ultra-low latency systems, and architectures that can support autonomous decision-making at scale.

AI agents are no longer confined to responding to queries; they are beginning to execute complex, multi-step tasks—self-correcting, learning, and adapting in real time. This new frontier demands a foundational rethink of data infrastructure. Real-time systems are becoming the backbone of this transformation, enabling AI to interact with constantly changing environments, deliver personalized outcomes, and orchestrate intelligent workflows with precision.

AI Appreciation Day 2025 isn’t just a celebration of algorithms—it’s a recognition of the silent enablers behind the scenes. From edge computing to hybrid transactional-analytical platforms, the future belongs to AI built on real-time, resilient, and scalable data systems. As we move forward, the synergy between AI intelligence and infrastructural agility will define what’s possible for industries, societies, and individuals alike.”

“AI Appreciation Day is a reminder of how far artificial intelligence has come, not just as a technology, but as a trusted force shaping decisions, industries, and the way we live. It’s a moment to celebrate the creativity and collaboration that drive AI forward, and to reflect on how we can steer its progress with care.

As AI becomes more deeply embedded in critical systems, from finance to public infrastructure, what matters most is not how fast we innovate, but how responsibly we scale. Transparency, auditability, and human alignment must define the next chapter of AI.

At Arya.ai, we see this not just as a technical challenge but as a shared responsibility. It’s about ensuring that AI remains a force for clarity, not complexity, a partner in progress, not a black box. On this day, we celebrate AI’s immense promise while staying grounded in the values that will shape its future,” explained, Deekshith Marla, Co-Founder, Arya.ai.

“AI Appreciation Day is an opportunity to reflect on the transformative role artificial intelligence plays in shaping the way we live, work, and solve problems. At Fulcrum Digital, we view AI not merely as a suite of technologies, but as a strategic enabler of innovation, efficiency, and equitable growth. From revolutionizing customer experiences to driving intelligent automation at scale, AI empowers businesses to think boldly and act with precision.”

“But true appreciation of AI comes with responsibility. As we embed AI deeper into enterprise and societal frameworks, ethical stewardship, transparency, and human-centric design must remain front and center. The future of AI lies not in replacing human potential—but in amplifying it. That’s why we invest in developing AI talent pipelines, responsible frameworks, and adaptive learning models that ensure our solutions are as thoughtful as they are intelligent.”

“On this day, we don’t just celebrate how far AI has come—we recommit to shaping its future in a way that is inclusive, sustainable, and deeply human,” said, Sachin Panicker, Chief AI Officer, Fulcrum Digital.

“AI forms the foundation of Happiest Minds’ digital transformation journey. Through our Analytics & AI Center of Excellence and Gen-AI Business Services unit, we deliver scalable, secure, and responsible AI solutions. Our portfolio features repeatable innovations, including the Research and Legal Companion, a suite of AI & Gen-AI offerings, and intelligent automation across the enterprise.

Our distinctive approach leverages deep, domain-specific AI expertise, integrating Generative AI into the software development lifecycle, championing ethical leadership, and forging strategic partnerships to accelerate solution delivery with clear, measurable outcomes. By applying a structured framework, we consistently move multiple AI & Gen-AI projects into production, adhering to best practices in MLOps and LLMOps with robust security guardrails. Additionally, we are pioneering advancements in emerging AI domains such as Bioinformatics, further expanding the value we bring to our clients,” explained, Sridhar Mantha, CEO of Generative AI Business Services (GBS) at Happiest Minds Technologies.

“India’s AI sector is anticipated to contribute around US$400 billion to the national economy by 2030. Today, we celebrate AI for how far it has taken us and for the possibilities it continues to unlock. In India, the transition is evident, organisations that once explored use cases are now deploying AI at scale.

This shift is driving a fundamental transformation in critical digital infrastructure. With some compute racks now exceeding 100 kilowatts and AI training clusters reaching several megawatts, data centres must evolve rapidly to meet unprecedented power and cooling demands. To sustain this momentum, organisations must align their infrastructure strategies with the growing needs of AI.

On AI Appreciation Day, we applaud the benefits and innovation of AI applications to advance healthcare, finance, education, entertainment, and beyond – and at the same time recognize the work happening behind the scenes to strengthen the backbone of innovation, including the chips, power, cooling, and other technologies that are essential for AI to work. Realising the full potential of AI will require more than just algorithms, it will demand reliable, energy-aware foundations that are capable of supporting dynamic workloads. We at Vertiv are always committed to enabling this shift by building infrastructure that is ready for the scale, complexity, and ambition of India’s AI-driven future,” said, Shrirang Deshpande, Country Head, Strategic Programmes, Vertiv India.

Laka Sriram, V.P. of Product, Independents at GoDaddy, said, “At GoDaddy, we view artificial intelligence as a powerful ally for millions of small businesses who are bringing their ideas to life. AI is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s here today, making an extraordinary difference in how small businesses operate, compete, and grow.

AI agents act as dedicated workers, handling specific tasks and preparing the work for business owners to review, refine, and approve thereby saving time, streamlining decision-making, and helping businesses move faster with confidence.

From instantly generating beautiful websites and product descriptions to helping business owners understand customer trends and optimize marketing campaigns, AI simplifies complexity and saves precious time. It enables entrepreneurs to focus on their passions while giving them the confidence that their technology is working smarter in the background.

This AI Appreciation Day, we celebrate not just the technology itself, but the creativity, resilience, and ambition it helps unlock in people everywhere. The future of business is being built at the intersection of human ingenuity and intelligent tools, and we are proud to empower entrepreneurs with AI solutions that make big dreams achievable.”

Naresh B. Wadhwa, Vice-Chairman & Managing Director, Videonetics, explained, “As we celebrate AI Appreciation Day, it is essential to recognize that the true potential of AI lies not just in automating tasks, but in empowering intelligent, real-time decision-making across critical environments. At Videonetics, we believe in building what we call ‘True AI’: AI that is explainable, contextual, and deeply integrated with real-world scenarios.

From enhancing urban safety to streamlining traffic systems and securing vital infrastructure, our mission is to enable organisations to look deeper into video data and derive actionable insights that drive impact. India has the talent, scale, and ambition to lead the next wave of AI innovation, and we are proud to be building world-class, Made-in-India solutions that are already transforming how cities and enterprises think about security and intelligence.

AI is not just the future; it is the foundation of smarter, safer societies, and it must be built responsibly, for people and with purpose.”

Dr. Badri Gomatam, Group Chief Technology Officer, Sterlite Technologies Limited, explained, “In today’s AI-powered world, the ability to turn massive amounts of data into real-time, actionable insights is what sets successful organisations apart. As AI workloads demand ever-greater speed and scale, the role of data centres has shifted from simply storing information to enabling intelligence at every level. With India’s data centre capacity poised to double in the next five years, and AI applications requiring exponentially more compute power, the need for robust, sustainable, and low-latency connectivity has never been greater.

At STL, we see this as a tremendous opportunity to deliver next-generation structured cabling and optical connectivity offerings tailored for AI-driven data centres. Our advanced Data Centre and Enterprise Cabling Systems are designed to support everything from distributed AI tasks to high-performance GPU clusters. By combining high throughput, energy efficiency, and superior security, our optical fibre-backed networks are forming the backbone of tomorrow’s digital infrastructure.

On AI Appreciation Day, we’re focused on building resilient, intelligent, and scalable data centre ecosystems that empower enterprises to move from experimentation to execution. For AI to truly unlock its potential, it needs an infrastructure foundation that’s as dynamic and dependable as the technology itself—and that’s exactly what STL is committed to delivering.”

Venkat Sitaram Senior Director & Country Head ISG (Infrastructure Solutions Group) – Dell Technologies India, said, “AI is no longer simply a technological advancement; it has become a strategic cornerstone for Indian enterprises driving digital transformation. As organizations increasingly generate and rely on vast volumes of data, the demand for intelligent, real-time infrastructure has never been greater. We are witnessing a definitive shift from AI experimentation to enterprise-wide implementation, particularly in critical sectors such as manufacturing, BFSI, and healthcare.

However, successful AI adoption requires more than deploying algorithms—it depends on scalable, secure, and sustainable infrastructure seamlessly integrated across edge, core, and cloud ecosystems. At Dell Technologies, we are dedicated to empowering businesses with comprehensive, end-to-end solutions that align with cutting-edge AI advancements. Our mission is to enable enterprises, whether emerging startups or established industry leaders, to harness the transformative power of AI to unlock business value, optimize operations, and secure long-term growth.

As we celebrate AI Appreciation Day, it is clear that the future belongs to those who responsibly scale their AI initiatives, foster innovation with confidence, and transform data into a formidable competitive advantage.”

Anant Deshpande, DigiCert Regional Vice President, India and ASEAN, said, “This AI Appreciation Day, we’re not just celebrating the power of artificial intelligence—we’re championing its responsible evolution. At DigiCert, we believe that as AI becomes more integral to business, security must scale alongside innovation. Generative AI, autonomous systems, and machine learning models are transforming how we work, communicate, and build. But with these advancements come growing risks – deepfakes, misinformation, model drift, and quantum-era vulnerabilities that threaten the very trust AI depends on. That’s why we’re embedding digital trust into the core of every AI interaction, from identity-backed content provenance to PKI-secured AI pipelines.

As the lines blur between human and machine-generated actions, trust becomes the defining currency. Our AI initiatives ranging from anomaly detection to post-quantum cryptographic readiness and secure agentic AI are built with one goal in mind: to make AI not just smarter, but safer. Because when you anchor innovation in verifiability, authenticity, and transparency, AI doesn’t just solve problems faster – it earns the confidence to lead us into the future.”

Naveen Bolalingappa – CEO, STL Digital, said, “As we mark AI Appreciation Day in India, it’s important to acknowledge both the promise and the pressing challenges that define the country’s AI journey. While India is rapidly becoming a global digital powerhouse, reports indicate that over 60% of enterprises still fail to operationalize AI at scale without future-ready enterprise solution. This challenge arises due data silos and legacy infrastructure as key barriers. The root cause lies in the fragmented adoption approach—where AI is often treated as a one-off initiative rather than a long-term, organization-wide capability. This disjointedness not only stalls innovation but also prevents businesses from unlocking the true value of data-driven decision-making.

The consequences are visible: from under-readiness in manufacturing sector and delayed insights in BFSI, to missed personalization in retail and healthcare. Without a foundational AI strategy, Indian enterprises risk falling behind in a world where AI maturity will define competitive advantage. With the changing landscape of AI across sectors, what is also needed for equitable AI success is regulation at the industry, individual and national level.

At STL Digital, we’re committed to changing that narrative. Our approach integrates AI with cloud, data engineering, and security by design, helping enterprises scale AI across levels of their organization and innovate consistently. We are enabling businesses to move from experimentation to execution—with frameworks that ensure access, scalability, and real-time intelligence.

On this AI Appreciation Day, we urge Indian businesses to not just adopt AI, but to embed it into the core of their operations. Because appreciation should lead to action—and that’s how we collectively shape a smarter, more resilient digital future for India.”

David Allott, Field CISO – APJ, Veeam, explained, “On AI Appreciation Day, most discussions focus on the risks AI introduces. But in cybersecurity, we are overlooking a bigger opportunity: AI is also helping us rethink how we defend and recover.

AI is enabling security leaders across APJ, including India, to shift from reactive defence to proactive resilience. At Veeam, we are integrating AI to help businesses better understand and protect their data. It is not just about knowing where it is stored, but understanding what it contains, who has access, and whether it is subject to compliance issues or exfiltration risk.

 In 2023, India saw more than 2.2 million cybersecurity incidents – a sharp rise in threats targeting critical infrastructure, enterprises, and digital services. This may be attributed to a surge in digital adoption and hybrid working environments.

As Indian companies adopt hybrid-cloud models and operate across legacy and modern infrastructure, this visibility becomes harder to achieve. AI cuts through the complexity by identifying anomalies faster, knowing misconfigurations before they become vulnerabilities, and introducing backup strategies with actual data value.

While AI is not a silver bullet for security, it is a tool that delivers clarity and context on how to become more resilient. For example, Veeam enables AI directly into platforms to assist with threat diagnostics and intelligent support for backup admins. Tools like VeeamONE deliver AI-powered threat detection, while Recon Scanner (a feature of Veeam Data Platform) helps identify risks before they escalate. This ensures organisations can protect the right data in the right way before threats emerge.”

Ben Young, Field CTO APJ, Veeam, says, “On AI Appreciation Day, it is worth reflecting on not only what AI can do, but also the challenges it demands from us. AI is fundamentally reshaping enterprise data architecture, introducing new and often distributed compute environments, training datasets and workflows that did not exist just two years ago. But in the rush to innovate, many businesses are skipping over critical questions:

Are the storage environments secure?

Is any of this backed up?

Are the backups protected and secure?

At Veeam, we regularly see organisations deploying AI training workloads in the public cloud, sometimes for the first time and without mature data resilience strategies in place. There is a common assumption that as-a-service infrastructure is inherently secure. Protecting AI means safeguarding model inputs and outputs, defending against data poisoning and ensuring rapid restore capabilities in the face of compromise.

In India, nasscom reported that the country’s AI market is set to reach $17 billion by 2027, driven by aggressive enterprise adoption. This growth adds pressure on IT leaders across BFSI, e-commerce, and other domains, to secure, govern, and recover data assets effectively and rapidly.

As we deploy more AI systems, slow recovery is not an option, because when they fail or are compromised, the cost and time to rebuild the entire AI infrastructure—models, data pipelines, training datasets, and supporting systems—can be prohibitive.

The Veeam 2025 Ransomware Trends and Proactive Strategies Report reveals that organisations in APJ are often overconfident in their cyber readiness, with a 17% drop in perceived cyber readiness after experiencing an incident. This means that many businesses are only realising their lack of preparation when it’s too late.

AI may be intelligent, but resilience still requires human foresight and organisational-wide discipline. Innovation without protection is a risk no enterprise can afford to take.”

Prashanth G J, CEO, Technobind Solutions, said, “Artificial Intelligence has graduated from being a productivity enabler to becoming a purpose accelerator. At TechnoBind, we see AI as the compass guiding businesses from a metrics-driven mindset to a mission-driven future. Whether it’s anticipating cyber threats, enhancing healthcare outcomes, or bridging digital divides, AI is helping us align technology with human intent.”

“The real promise of AI lies not in automation alone, but in its ability to illuminate purpose, foster innovation with integrity, and drive outcomes that matter to society at large.”

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Venkataraman D, Vice President – Sales & Strategy Crayon Software Experts India, explained, “Artificial Intelligence has evolved from being a background enabler to becoming a strategic engine of progress. We are witnessing a fundamental shift, where AI is empowering organizations to move beyond productivity metrics and towards purpose-driven transformation. It enables businesses to make sense of complex data, respond in real time to changing customer expectations, and unlock innovation at scale.

“More importantly, it gives people the freedom to focus on creative thinking, empathy, and problem-solving. What makes AI truly remarkable is its potential to level the playing field, giving businesses of all sizes access to intelligence and agility once reserved for the few. As we mark this moment, it’s clear: AI is not merely advancing productivity; it’s elevating our collective purpose, guiding us toward a more intelligent, inclusive, and impactful future.”

“For a long time, SMEs were financially excluded not by intent but because traditional channels failed to serve them effectively. Digital payments and infrastructure laid the foundation for inclusion and started engaging them meaningfully. Now AI is set to strengthen and accelerate that progress. It allows the payments ecosystem to offer data-driven support that helps merchants run their businesses better and smarter. At Mintoak, we believe AI isn’t just about automation. Its about deeper engagement and real empowerment for the SME sector. It’s a powerful step forward in building a more inclusive and responsive financial ecosystem.”  Raman Khanduja, CEO and Co-founder of Mintoak.

Shikhar Aggarwal, Joint Managing Partner, BLS International, said, “Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming visa processing by automating tasks, enhancing and improving efficiency. AI-powered tools handle document verification, data entry, and eligibility checks, significantly reducing processing times. From automating documentation to verifying identity and enhancing user experience, these tools are reducing turnaround times and improving efficiency, thereby helping the visa processing firms to handle the surge in visa applications resulting from the exponential growth in global mobility over the last two decades.

Stakeholders across the ecosystem are embracing innovations such as mobile biometrics, digital appointments, and AI-powered platforms to create more responsive and applicant-centric services.

At BLS International, we see this as more than a technology shift—it’s a redefinition of how governments and citizens connect. AI helps us create seamless, transparent, and scalable solutions for a rapidly evolving global travel environment. We have introduced facial biometric verification and liveness detection at an early stage of the process. This innovation allows us to verify applicants swiftly and accurately, reducing dependency on manual review and mitigating fraud. What sets us apart is our consistent focus on ethical practices and responsible use of technology. Our efforts are centred on building secure, efficient, and applicant-friendly systems that can support the evolving needs of global travel.”