Artificial Intelligence – Rapid Advances Signal Transformative Shift Ahead
Artificial Intelligence – Artificial Intelligence technologies are advancing at a pace few anticipated, with industry leaders predicting dramatic growth and deeper integration across sectors in the coming years. Speaking at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia, said the recent evolution of AI models reflects a turning point for businesses and governments alike.
Rapid Gains in AI Capabilities
Addressing the session titled “AI for Disaster Management: Anticipatory, Hyperlocal, Scalable,” Chandok highlighted how significantly AI systems have improved within a short span. He noted that the progress seen in the past six months alone underscores the accelerating development curve of AI models.
According to him, debates over whether AI systems are truly advancing are increasingly becoming irrelevant. The improvements, he suggested, are visible in performance, reliability and practical deployment. Chandok projected that the next three years could witness exponential expansion in AI capabilities, reshaping industries at scale.
He described the current phase as one of readiness, where both technology and markets appear aligned for broader adoption.
Coding Emerges as Leading Use Case
Chandok identified software development as the most prominent application of AI at present. From assisting programmers in writing code to automating repetitive development tasks, AI tools are steadily redefining how software is built.
He pointed out that AI-driven coding systems are no longer experimental. Instead, they are becoming integral to enterprise workflows. Businesses are increasingly treating AI-powered systems as “digital colleagues” that collaborate with teams, support decision-making and enhance productivity.
This integration marks a shift in corporate strategy. Where companies once prioritized cloud adoption, Chandok said, they are now moving toward AI-first models that embed intelligent systems into everyday operations.
Rethinking Business Sovereignty and Roles
Beyond productivity gains, Chandok also raised questions about organizational sovereignty in the AI era. As AI systems become capable of drafting legal documents or performing analytical tasks traditionally handled by professionals, companies must reconsider how they structure responsibility and oversight.
He stressed the need for enterprises to define clear frameworks that govern the use of AI within their operations. The conversation, he suggested, is not just about technology adoption but also about ensuring accountability and strategic control.
On the issue of employment, Chandok rejected the notion that AI will simply eliminate jobs. Instead, he argued that AI is likely to “unbundle” roles, separating routine functions from higher-value responsibilities. Workers, in his view, will need to adapt by continuously learning and incorporating AI skills into their expertise.
India’s Growing AI Momentum
Chandok described India’s position in the global AI landscape as particularly promising. He pointed to the country’s expanding talent pool and supportive policy environment as key strengths.
Citing internal data, he said a significant share of Indian businesses—around 59 percent—are already deploying AI agents in some form. This, he noted, reflects both enterprise confidence and the availability of skilled professionals capable of implementing advanced systems.
He added that India’s ecosystem is evolving quickly, with startups, established corporations and policymakers contributing to the momentum.
Global Leaders Gather in New Delhi
The AI Impact Summit 2026, which began on Monday in the national capital, has drawn participation from leaders across 20 countries. Among the prominent attendees are French President Emmanuel Macron, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
The summit aims to explore the responsible and scalable deployment of AI across sectors, including disaster management, governance and economic development.
As discussions continue, the message from industry leaders like Chandok remains clear: Artificial Intelligence is moving beyond experimentation and into the core of modern enterprise strategy. The coming years, they suggest, could redefine how businesses operate, how professionals work and how nations compete in a technology-driven global economy.