Conclave Mumbai: AI has established itself as a game changer, says Accenture India MD Saurabh Sahu

At the India Today Conclave, Mumbai chapter, Accenture’s managing director in India highlighted the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on various industries and the need for ethical oversight. As AI increasingly integrates into global systems, it is no longer seen as just a futuristic gimmick, but as a real game changer across sectors. “AI has travelled a good journey from being perceived as a gimmick, to being established as a game changer,” said the executive, emphasising that the core of AI technology is to make life easier and boost human productivity. “Fundamentals of AI are based on making our lives easier and add to human productivity,” he added.
Despite the widespread adoption of AI, concerns about job displacement persist. However, the Accenture India lead reassured the audience that AI will not entirely replace humans. “Till the day opinions are needed, humans will be needed. Even when AI is trying to mimic humans, it won’t have the soul of a human. So, there isn’t anything to worry about. At least, I hope so,” he remarked, suggesting that AI, while powerful, cannot replicate the emotional intelligence or moral judgement of a human being.
India plays a dual role in this AI revolution, both as a consumer and a supplier. “We are currently a large supplier of AI, but not a large consumer of AI,” he explained. However, he added that India could be on the path to becoming an AI superpower, particularly in sectors like farming and healthcare, considering our country’s large population. AI offers immense potential for improving outcomes, Sahu said. “India can become a big consumer of AI,” he noted, but also stressed that the country must seize untapped opportunities in AI development.
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The Accenture leader closed his talk by stressing the need for ethical, responsible, and proactive approaches to AI deployment. He highlighted the importance of upskilling India’s workforce to bridge the gap between available jobs and necessary skills, stating, “At the end of the day, no matter how strong a machine is, it will need a human mind to operate it.”