On the occasion of AI Appreciation Day, leaders across industries are emphasising how artificial intelligence is reshaping economies, professions, and human interactions apart from redefining technology. As India rapidly digitizes and stakes its claim as a global artificial intelligence hub, the emphasis is shifting towards responsible, inclusive, and strategic use of AI.
Jeremy Ung, CTO at BlackLine, noted the transformational role of artificial intelligence, especially in finance: “Artificial intelligence (AI) is not just transforming industries, but fundamentally reshaping how we work and create value. At BlackLine, we’ve witnessed firsthand the profound impact of AI, particularly in the finance sector, where precision and trust are paramount. The evolution of AI, from traditional data science to sophisticated agentic AI combined with large language models, is enabling us to generate more human-like reasoning and outputs. This isn’t about replacing human intelligence, but augmenting it. Our focus is on empowering finance professionals by automating manual workflows and freeing them to concentrate on strategic, high-value activities. We’ve seen significant gains in efficiency, with customers saving countless hours on tasks like document summarisation and transaction matching, allowing them to redirect their expertise to critical analysis and decision-making. A core principle of our approach is user control and trust. In finance, accuracy is non-negotiable. That’s why BlackLine’s AI solutions are designed to allow users to accept or reject AI outputs and fosters a continuous learning loop. AI powers true digital transformation, driving us beyond fragmented data silos. With data as a central asset, AI can fuel intelligent workflows that will elevate finance to unprecedented heights.”
From a cybersecurity lens, Sumit Srivastava, Solutions Engineering Director – India at CyberArk, addressed the urgent need for identity protection as AI adoption soars: “India is witnessing a significant surge in AI adoption, cloud-native application development, and digital transformation across enterprises, government, and even startups. As a result, machine identities are growing at an unprecedented rate, far outpacing human identities. According to the CyberArk 2025 Identity Security Landscape report, organizations today have 82 machine identities for every human identity, and this number is expected to keep rising with the proliferation of agentic AI. This trend presents a critical cybersecurity challenge. Autonomous AI agents, while powerful, can independently make decisions, escalate their access privileges, and interact with critical IT systems, often without direct human oversight. Left unsecured, they can be exploited by threat actors to gain lateral access across networks, including sensitive data and infrastructure. For Indian enterprises, especially those in BFSI, manufacturing, and government sectors undergoing rapid digitization, the top priority must be implementing a unified, AI-powered identity security framework, starting with robust machine identity protection. CyberArk strongly believes that industry, academia, and government must come together to proactively define secure AI usage frameworks before bad actors can exploit the gap. Human and machine identities are the backbone of India’s growing digital economy. On AI Appreciation Day, it’s vital to recognize that securing these identities isn’t just a technical necessity, it is foundational to ensuring safe, trustworthy AI innovation in India’s digital future.”
Vishal Ghariwala, APAC CTO at SUSE, emphasized the importance of open source in ensuring future-ready, scalable AI: “Over the last ten years, Indian businesses have really embraced new tech, and AI is no different. India’s becoming a global hotspot for AI talent and has a booming startup scene, so it’s not just adopting AI, but actively shaping its future. With efforts like the IndiaAI Mission and the rise of fast-scaling local AI startups, it’s critical to build on open infrastructure that can scale, offer flexible models, and be compliance-ready from day one. That said, today’s AI breakthroughs will be tomorrow’s legacy. Getting locked in or stuck in one ecosystem is counter-intuitive to innovation. Meanwhile, APAC’s businesses are leapfrogging other markets at a rapid pace. Businesses, therefore, need to be prepared and think ahead about how to make use of best-in-class technologies, while maintaining the flexibility to move between different stacks and solutions. Open source principles – collaborative improvements, knowledge pooling, transparency – will be key to AI’s future health. Open development speeds up innovation and invites greater participation from the wider developer ecosystem, whether that’s a hobbyist at home, through to IT leaders pulling from the same source repository for some of India’s largest enterprises. AI has the power to boost human potential, crank up productivity, tackle tough challenges, and spark new creative ideas. Genuine open source means lowering the barriers to access and working together to innovate, and that’s the kind of environment we should all be aiming to build, including in AI. Building with agility and long-term flexibility in mind helps organizations from getting stuck, and in turn builds resiliency and ability to innovate as new breakthroughs emerge. With open source, businesses can innovate securely, transparently, and on their own terms. So, on AI Appreciation Day, we’re not just celebrating what AI can do, but how we choose to build it. As it becomes more and more part of our daily lives, it’s our shared responsibility to guide its development for the benefit of everyone.”
Echoing the growing importance of AI in cybersecurity, Diwakar Dayal, Managing Director & Area Vice President – India & SAARC at SentinelOne, said: “On World AI Appreciation Day, we’re reminded of how AI is not just reshaping technology but transforming how we protect, innovate, and grow in the digital world. In India, where businesses are embracing rapid digitalization, AI has emerged as a force multiplier in cybersecurity enabling organizations to detect threats faster, respond smarter, and stay resilient against increasingly sophisticated attacks. At SentinelOne, we see AI as the core of a modern defense strategy. It’s no longer about reacting to threats it’s about anticipating them, autonomously mitigating risk, and doing so at machine speed. From securing India’s critical infrastructure to supporting enterprises on their AI journeys, we believe in harnessing AI not just as a tool, but as a trusted ally. As India drives forward in its digital ambitions, responsible AI adoption guided by transparency, trust, and innovation will be key to securing the future.”
Mitesh Jain, Regional Vice President – India at Akamai Technologies, highlighted the role of infrastructure in scaling AI: “Artificial Intelligence is transforming industries, driving innovation, and shaping how we live and work. From personalized digital experiences to real-time insights, AI is helping organizations reimagine what is possible. However, as AI adoption grows, so do the challenges of securing applications, protecting data, and ensuring consistent performance. The future of AI depends not only on the pace of innovation but also on building strong cybersecurity foundations and resilient cloud infrastructure that enable safe, scalable, and trustworthy AI-driven solutions. To help businesses realize this potential, it is essential to ensure that AI applications are protected, high-performing, and built for scale. Akamai’s intelligent cloud platform, combined with advanced security solutions such as Firewall for AI, App and API Protector, and edge-powered inference capabilities, empowers enterprises to adopt AI with confidence. As we mark AI Appreciation Day, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of what AI can make possible helping organizations deliver secure, reliable, and seamless digital experiences.”
For Ranga Jagannath, Senior Director – Growth at Agora, AI is a means to humanize digital interactions: “AI is more than just automation it is a bridge to deeper human connection. We believe real-time interactions should be intelligent, inclusive, and truly human-centred. Our innovations, like the Conversational AI Engine and the ConvoAI Device Kit, help organizations create seamless voice and video experiences across devices, from phones to wearables. With ultra-low latency, real-time translation, noise cancellation, intelligent interruption handling, and multi-lingual support, we are not just removing technical barriers, we are making conversations more accessible, empathetic, and meaningful. Whether it is an AI companion offering emotional support or a virtual assistant helping students learn beyond the classroom, we see AI as a force that connects, not replaces. At Agora, we are proud to shape a future where AI does not just improve communication, it amplifies understanding.”
Sagar PV, Chief Technology Officer, Mindsprint, offered a strategic view of agentic AI:
“AI is no longer just a tool; it is a strategic partner that is reshaping how businesses think and operate. At Mindsprint, we have built our organization around this belief, embedding intelligence into every solution we deliver. What sets this era apart is the rise of agentic AI, systems that can reason, adapt, and act with context. This shift goes beyond automation; it enables leaders to reimagine strategy with intelligence at the core. For our clients, the impact is real. They are gaining predictive insights, optimizing in real-time, and uncovering growth opportunities they had not previously considered. For teams, AI is amplifying creativity and freeing people to focus on innovation and strategic problem-solving. The future is not about AI replacing humans; it is about purposeful AI working alongside us to build smarter, more resilient enterprises.”
Sujatha S Iyer, Head of AI Security at ManageEngine, Zoho Corp, emphasized AI’s human-centered evolution: “AI is no longer a futuristic concept, it’s a defining force in how we learn, work, and grow. It’s transforming the workplace from process-driven to purpose-driven by automating the routine and amplifying the human. For emerging professionals, this is a pivotal moment to cultivate skills that AI can’t replicate – creativity, critical thinking, and ethical judgment. For decision-makers, it’s a call to embed responsible AI practices that prioritize trust, transparency, and meaningful upskilling across the workforce. This transformation isn’t just technological, it’s deeply human. When implemented thoughtfully, AI doesn’t just boost productivity, it fosters a hybrid workforce where human insight and machine intelligence elevate one another.”
Nishant Patel, Co-founder and CTO of Contentstack, described AI as a productivity engine: “AI has become the engine room of modern digital innovation, quietly removing friction, automating the mundane, and letting creators and developers focus on what truly moves the needle. At Contentstack, we see AI as a force multiplier that enables hyper-personalised, real-time experiences, anticipates user needs, and accelerates delivery across every digital touchpoint. For developers, it means less time on boilerplate and more time on breakthroughs. For enterprises, it means content that adapts, performs, and resonates at scale. But with this power comes a duty to wield AI ethically, ensuring that every experience is inclusive, responsible, and grounded in human values. AI Appreciation Day is a call to lead with ambition and integrity.”
Sriram Kannan, Founder and CEO of Routematic, drew attention to AI’s role in urban transformation: “On AI Appreciation Day, we celebrate its role in advancing education, innovation, and everyday life while keeping human values at the core. At Routematic, we see AI as a catalyst for smarter decisions, seamless mobility, and sustainable systems. From decoding traffic patterns and EV charging data to optimizing employee commutes, we use AI to turn complexity into clarity. The next decade will be defined not by automation, but by the intelligence with which we apply it to empower people, solve hard problems, and move cities forward. As we continue to build data-driven, eco-conscious mobility solutions, we remain committed to harnessing technology that supports progress and empowers people.”
And finally, Ganesh Gopalan, Co-Founder and CEO of Gnani.ai, celebrated AI’s role in linguistic and digital inclusion: “At Gnani.ai, we see AI not just as technology, but as a catalyst transforming how India speaks, learns, and transacts. On AI Appreciation Day, we celebrate the incredible strides made in voice AI, small language models, and generative AI that bridge linguistic diversity and democratize digital access. Aligned with the IndiaAI mission, we are committed to building solutions that are inclusive, responsible, and locally relevant—empowering enterprises and everyday users alike. As AI continues to evolve, our vision remains clear: to make conversational AI an enabler of growth and innovation for every corner of India.”
