New Delhi, Sept. 16 -- In the face of global economic uncertainty, IT services firm Cognizant is leveraging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud transformation to help enterprises boost productivity and navigate cost pressures, while driving innovation and long-term growth. In an exclusive interview with TechCircle, Achal Kataria, Vice President & India Country Head, Cognizant, explains how agentic and generative AI are driving larger, outcome-based deals, while partnerships with hyperscalers are boosting innovation. He also discusses why the company's talent expansion and reskilling, especially in India, will remain central to its strategy. Edited excerpts.
How is the impending global macroeconomic crisis impacting tech companies, and how is Cognizant responding?
As our clients navigate this period of elevated uncertainty, our clients are prioritising projects that drive productivity, efficiency, and cost optimisation. Interestingly, we're also seeing innovation-led opportunities emerge. As organisations leverage AI-driven savings, they're reinvesting in growth initiatives and new business models. Our early investments in AI tools, design-led engineering, and operational excellence position us well to lead in this dynamic environment.
Where do you see the biggest growth opportunities for the company?
Growth is accelerating across sectors. In BFSI, digital public infrastructure, modernisation of banking platforms, and risk analytics are seeing strong traction. Healthcare is evolving rapidly with demands for telemedicine, digital health records, and drug discovery solutions. Manufacturing growth is being fuelled by initiatives like "Make in India," with smart factories and supply chain optimisation playing a pivotal role. Government and PSU sectors are gaining momentum from flagship programs such as Digital India and smart city projects. On the technology front, cloud migration, data analytics, cybersecurity, generative AI, and sustainable IT initiatives are unlocking new opportunities.
How do you see agentic AI reshaping businesses in the coming years?
Agentic AI is set to transform how enterprises operate. Unlike conventional systems, it can plan, act, and self-improve with minimal intervention. In software development, it's automating code writing and deployment. In IT operations, it's helping monitor infrastructure and troubleshoot issues. Security centres are using AI agents to triage alerts more efficiently. Beyond IT, business processes like finance reconciliation, forecasting, and customer support are becoming more agile. Even personal AI tools are revolutionising areas like travel and shopping. However, this shift demands new governance frameworks and ethical oversight, alongside secure architectures and regulatory clarity.
Is Gen AI driving larger deals and revenues for Cognizant?
Absolutely. In 2023, work was mostly proof-of-concepts, but by 2024-25, organisations began adopting end-to-end Gen AI programs. This has opened up large-scale transformation opportunities, especially in banking, insurance, retail, and healthcare. Gen AI is now embedded in cloud platforms, data engineering, and cybersecurity solutions, enabling larger deals that focus on outcomes like revenue growth and cost savings. Our managed Gen AI services, including model tuning and compliance monitoring, are creating new revenue streams. Clients increasingly view AI investments as strategic priorities, securing board approvals for long-term innovation.
What's the role of partnerships with hyperscalers?
Collaborations with AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud are vital to our growth strategy. They offer deeper market access and fund cloud transformation initiatives. We bundle migration, cybersecurity, and modernisation services with their platforms, jointly developing solutions tailored to specific industries. These partnerships accelerate innovation, build trust, and enhance our ability to scale quickly. Certifications and talent skilling further strengthen delivery capabilities and improve engagement during competitive bids.
What's Cognizant's hiring and expansion strategy in India?
India remains central to our global delivery model, with over 70% of our workforce based here. We plan to hire 15,000-20,000 fresh graduates in 2025, optimise our workforce pyramid, and reduce costs. Our new campus in Visakhapatnam, with an investment of Rs.1,580 crore, will create over 8,000 jobs and expand our AI capabilities. We've also launched centres in GIFT City, Indore, and Bhubaneswar, focusing on tier-2 cities to support agile workforces and innovation. Learning remains a core focus-over 277,000 employees acquired new skills last year, with more than 168,000 trained in Gen AI through our Synapse program.
What are the key factors to watch in the coming year?
Economic uncertainty in the US and EU, rising interest rates, and supply chain disruptions will impact BFSI investments. Technological trends like Gen AI and agentic AI adoption are shifting from pilots to enterprise-wide deployments. Regulatory changes around data protection, sustainability reporting, and financial compliance are also shaping business decisions. On the talent front, organisations are investing in reskilling, expanding into smaller cities, and creating new AI-centric roles to stay competitive.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from TechCircle.