The AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi featured a compelling address by Puneet Chandhok, Microsoft India and South Asia President. In the session exploring AI’s anticipatory role in disaster management, he unpacked the swift maturation of AI technologies and their promise of colossal growth ahead.
Chandhok marveled at AI’s acceleration over recent months, with models reaching new heights of performance. ‘Society is geared up for this shift,’ he said, highlighting how AI supercharges progress.
Clear evidence of enhancement, particularly in the last six months, points to a potential thousandfold industry boom by 2027. AI’s journey from simple code helpers to embedded business operatives—functioning like digital peers—exemplifies this.
He pointed to AI drafting legal files as a milestone, compelling firms to strategize on control mechanisms amid rising influence. The pivot to AI-first strategies signals a departure from cloud-only models, birthing AI-native enterprises.
Chandhok tempered job loss anxieties, emphasizing role evolution through reskilling. His stark advice: ‘Ignoring AI education today is tantamount to stagnation.’ This forward-looking narrative galvanizes stakeholders to harness AI’s momentum.