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Infosys co-founder and chairman Nandan Nilekani recently spoke about the growing role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in businesses and society. While AI is transforming industries, Nilekani emphasized that human collaboration and critical thinking remain irreplaceable.

"You can have all the AIs in the world, but if you can't get five people to work together and collaborate, then you cannot go anywhere," he stated at a recent event hosted by the All India Management Association (AIMA).

AI Won’t Replace Human Skills

Nilekani pointed out that technical skills evolve and become obsolete over time, but fundamental human skills—such as teamwork and the ability to question assumptions—are what drive real innovation.

He also dismissed fears that AI is taking away jobs in the IT sector, clarifying that recent layoffs in the industry were due to cyclical economic factors rather than AI automation. Instead, he sees AI as a tool to amplify human capabilities, particularly in sectors like education, healthcare, and agriculture.

India’s AI Focus: Practical Applications, Not Just Large Models

In a direct message to Indian AI companies, Nilekani suggested that they focus on practical, real-world applications rather than competing with global tech giants in building massive AI models.

"Our goal should not be to build one more Large Language Model (LLM). Let the big boys in the Valley do it," he remarked, highlighting India's potential to use AI for solving grassroots problems.

Balancing AI and Human Intelligence

As AI continues to evolve, Nilekani urged businesses and individuals to strike a balance—leveraging technology for efficiency while strengthening human collaboration and problem-solving skills.

"AI is a powerful tool, but it’s the people behind it who will shape the future," he concluded.