Digital Leadership Conclave joined by visionaries in the Tech Industry

Dataquest organized the Dataquest Leadership Conclave Conclave 2023 on June 9th, sponsored by Seagate and NIIT. The conclave brought together industry leaders, experts, and innovators to discuss and explore various aspects of India's technological advancements and its vision for the future. The event featured keynote speeches, panel discussions, fireside chats, and presentations, covering a wide range of topics related to digital transformation, technology innovation, and India's role in shaping the global landscape.

The event commenced with an opening address by Sunil Rajguru, Editor of Dataquest. Rajguru emphasized the significance of India's transition into a digital world and highlighted the country's achievements in the technology sector. He discussed the success of Aadhar, the largest voluntary identification system globally, which is intricately connected to various essential services such as banking and taxation. Rajguru also mentioned India's ambitious projects like the India Stack and the ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce), showcasing India's commitment to technological advancements. Additionally, he acknowledged the progress made in infrastructure development, including the construction of toilets and the country's growing population.

Bharat 2047

V. Srinivasa Rao, Chairman and MD of BT&BT, presented an insightful session on "Bharat 2047: Picturing a Future as a Superpower." Rao highlighted India's rich history of inventions and contributions to various fields such as mathematics, medicine, and agriculture. He stressed the importance of leveraging emerging technologies like IT, OT, biotech, and quantum computing to propel India towards becoming a leading technological nation. Rao outlined the nine super capabilities enabled by technology fusion and discussed the five themes, 30 objectives, and 200 Key Result Areas (KRAs) of the Bharat 2047 blueprint.

Transforming the Tech World

The conclave featured a fireside chat titled "India 2047 Agenda: Transforming the Tech World" between Ajay Chowdhry, founder of HCL and EPIC Foundation, and Saurabh Srivastava, Co-Founder of NASSCOM. The discussion focused on India's growth in the IT industry and the need for continued innovation and leadership in hardware and software. Chowdhry emphasized the importance of transitioning from low-value manufacturing to high-value-add manufacturing, while Srivastava highlighted India's potential to lead in emerging technologies such as healthtech and spacetech. They discussed the role of India in setting global standards and the importance of funding and nurturing hardware startups.

Next-Gen AI-Powered Enterprise

A panel discussion titled "Building the Next-Gen AI-Powered Enterprise" featured V. Srinivasa Rao, Dr. Chandrasekhar Devra, and Gokulavan Jayaraman. The panelists discussed the impact of generative AI tools like ChatGPT models on various industries. They explored the potential applications of these tools in drug discovery, knowledge curation, robotics, and content generation. The panelists emphasized the need for organizations to adapt to new technologies and train their workforce to leverage generative AI effectively.

India: Transformers for the World

Sharad Sharma, founder of iSPIRT Foundation, engaged in a fireside chat with Arun Seth, Board Member of Jubilant Pharmova Ltd, discussing India's potential to become a global transformer. They highlighted the importance of product innovation, building digital public goods, and fostering an ecosystem of innovation and collaboration between public and private sectors. The conversation emphasized the need for India to lead in technology and contribute to solving global challenges.

Industry 4.0 and Deep Tech

The panel discussion on Industry 4.0 and deep tech focused on the changing landscape of the industry and the role of deep technology in driving its transformation. The participants included industry leaders and experts who shared their insights on the subject. The discussion was moderated by Shubhendu Parth, Editor of Voice&Data.

Amit Kumar Anand, CTO Enterprise Solutions at Nokia India, emphasized the increasing digitization and focus on sustainability in industries. He highlighted the challenges faced by physical industries during the lockdown and the subsequent automation trends. Anand expressed that Industry 4.0 is progressing rapidly, with machines becoming new internet users. He emphasized the fusion of different technologies and the need for organizations to embark on their digitization journey.

Sharad Kumar Agarwal, CDIO at JK Tyre, discussed the trends in Industry 4.0, such as autonomous vehicles, and the shift from human intelligence to machine-driven processes. Agarwal highlighted that Industry 4.0 will lead to Quality 4.0 and improve customer experience while reducing costs. However, he noted that the adoption of Industry 4.0 still requires improvement, particularly among MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises).

Sunil David, a Digital Technology Consultant, emphasized the integration of cyber and physical systems in Industry 4.0. He emphasized the importance of true digitalization and harnessing the power of data to drive cost reduction and enhance customer experience. David highlighted the need for collaboration and ecosystem integration to improve efficiencies and realize the true value of data.

The panelists agreed that deep tech, particularly the Internet of Things (IoT), plays a crucial role in Industry 4.0. However, they acknowledged challenges such as the high cost of IoT adoption and the need for seamless integration of information technology (IT) and operational technology (OT). They also highlighted the importance of leadership, culture, and skill development in successfully adopting and leveraging deep tech.

Amit Kumar Anand provided insights into Nokia's experience with Industry 4.0, sharing examples from their Chennai factory. He discussed the implementation of the DART (Digitization, Automation, Robotics) platform, the export of equipment to over 30 countries, and the use of auto-intelligent vehicles (AIVs) and IoT. Anand invited CIOs to visit Nokia's factory to witness the successful implementation of Industry 4.0 practices.

Sharad Kumar Agarwal shared his experience in the tyre industry and the adoption of Industry 4.0 practices in their factories. He discussed the improvements in productivity and turnaround time achieved through Industry 4.0 and highlighted the ongoing work on predictive use cases and the search for alternative rubber materials.

The discussion then shifted to the panel on revolutionizing the Indian banking and fintech ecosystem, with Vishal Kanvaty, CTO of NPCI, as the participant. Kanvaty highlighted the success of NPCI and the growth of fintech in India. He emphasized the evolving payment solutions and the vision of providing payment instruments for all Indians. Kanvaty stressed the importance of technology and cybersecurity in the fintech sector and the need for increased awareness and collaboration among stakeholders.

In the fireside chat on India's journey in the ICT industry over the next 25 years, Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Info Edge, and CP Gurnani, MD and CEO of Tech Mahindra, shared their perspectives. They discussed India's success story in IT services and the need for continued focus on technology and innovation. They highlighted the importance of collaboration, talent, and leveraging India's competitive advantages to drive growth in the startup ecosystem and the ICT industry.

Revolutionizing Indian Banking and Fintech Ecosystem

The Revolutionizing Indian Banking and Fintech Ecosystem panel discussion took place at a recent event, featuring Vishal Kanvaty, CTO of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI). The session was moderated by Ibrahim Ahmad, Consulting Editor at Cybermedia. The discussion shed light on NPCI's role in driving the growth of fintech in India and its efforts to transform the banking and financial landscape of the country.

Vishal Kanvaty emphasized that NPCI's success is closely tied to the rapid expansion of fintech services in India. He highlighted the organization's robust distribution channel and the evolution of payment solutions catering to various needs, including those of street vendors. Furthermore, Kanvaty emphasized that India has witnessed substantial growth as a mobile and digital economy, revolutionizing traditional banking practices. He also mentioned the significant advancements in insurance and wealth management services.

NPCI's primary objective is to provide secure and accessible payment instruments for all Indians. With the support of regulators, NPCI is actively working towards extending its reach and impact. Kanvaty expressed the organization's ambition to expand beyond its current offerings. Additionally, NPCI aims to facilitate low-value credit services, making affordable credit accessible to a wider population. Kanvaty predicted the development of a platform in the coming years that will enable this objective.

During the discussion, Kanvaty highlighted the tremendous success of NPCI's Unified Payments Interface (UPI), which has already garnered over 350 million users. He projected that an additional 700 million users would join the platform in due course. Kanvaty urged the government to enhance awareness among startups regarding the potential of fintech and emphasized the critical role of technology in driving the industry forward. NPCI has invested in open-source technology for UPI and recognizes the substantial potential in the deep tech space, where startups can contribute significantly. As people gradually realize the benefits of platforms like UPI, Kanvaty believes that India will transition from a cash-based society to a cashless one.

Addressing the importance of cybersecurity, Kanvaty acknowledged the need for increased investment in this area. Given the rising threat of cyberattacks from various sources, NPCI has implemented stringent security measures to protect user data and financial transactions. He stressed the importance of creating awareness about cybersecurity among the general public, as it is an often-underappreciated aspect of digital financial services.

Kanvaty also emphasized the significance of improving the understanding and awareness of law enforcement agencies regarding fintech and digital payments. He commended the growing engagement of law enforcement in combating financial crimes and ensuring a safe ecosystem. By fostering a sense of respect for the law, NPCI aims to onboard every Indian onto its platform. Notably, India currently leads the world in digital payments, accounting for approximately 40% of global digital transactions.

In conclusion, the panel discussion highlighted the transformative impact of NPCI on the Indian banking and fintech ecosystem. With its extensive reach, commitment to innovation, and collaboration with stakeholders, NPCI continues to play a pivotal role in revolutionizing digital payments, driving financial inclusion, and propelling India towards a cashless society.

India 2047 - Next 25 Years of the ICT Industry

A fireside chat titled "India 2047 - Next 25 Years of the ICT Industry" took place during a recent event. The participants of the discussion were Sanjeev Bikhchandani, Founder and Executive Vice Chairman of Info Edge, and CP Gurnani, MD and CEO of Tech Mahindra. The session was moderated by Sunil Rajguru, Editor at Dataquest, PCQuest & CiOL. The conversation revolved around the future of the Indian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) industry and the opportunities and challenges it may face.

Gurnani acknowledged that the Indian IT services sector has been a remarkable success story, having generated $250 billion in exports. He emphasized the need to bridge the gap between services and consultancy within the industry, stating that the focus on business-to-business (B2B) operations and staying ahead of the curve has greatly benefited the sector. He expressed confidence in the capabilities of the Indian IT industry, drawing attention to the example of Emirates, the world's largest airline, which has expanded its operations into services.

Bikhchandani praised the intellect and talent of individuals working in the Indian IT industry. He shared an anecdote about a presentation by McKenzie at NASSCOM, where the success of the Indian IT industry was attributed to its human capital. Bikhchandani highlighted the immense potential of the Indian market and the increasing payoffs that companies can achieve over time. He emphasized that building companies within India, for India, can lead to significant growth. Bikhchandani also pointed out that India possesses valuable data and intelligence resources.

The discussion turned to the topic of artificial intelligence (AI) and startups. Gurnani referred to a statement by Sam Altman, suggesting that attempting to replicate AI systems like ChatGPT would be challenging without significant investment. He emphasized that with substantial capital support, India could accomplish much more and cited examples of successful projects like Aadhaar and UPI that were executed at a fraction of the cost. Gurnani noted that ChatGPT is not the only generative AI model available, and there are several others in development. He emphasized the importance of combining human intelligence with AI, highlighting India's ability to deliver superior services with its vast population.

Regarding the evolution of the startup ecosystem, Bikhchandani stated that India is currently ahead of Silicon Valley. He identified several key drivers for the future growth of startups, including the availability of talent, an increasing number of individuals aspiring to be entrepreneurs, and the government's efforts in developing the Unified Payments Interface (UPI). Gurnani added that the digital startup ecosystem would make a significant contribution to India's economy, and the establishment of a robust telecom infrastructure is crucial for the success of ventures like Uber and Zomato. He mentioned that a task force is already focusing on developing 6G technology, and he projected an economy of $35-40 billion by 2047.

When discussing India's overall progress as a nation, Gurnani emphasized the need for greater investment in the education system and increased research and development (R&D) activities to match the country's desired economic scale. He noted that the number of researchers in India is relatively small compared to the size of the economy. Bikhchandani acknowledged the growing consciousness and recognition of the importance of startups, citing their contributions to sectors such as IT services and mobile technology. He also highlighted the government's increasing awareness of the startup ecosystem.

Both participants agreed on the significance of ambition and humility for Indian corporations. Gurnani noted that Mahindra, which started as a startup, has emerged as a strong competitor to American companies. He stressed the importance of combining R&D efforts with ambition and highlighted the

potential of university research programs. Gurnani further mentioned the need for more industry contribution to research and the importance of prioritizing and valuing the right areas for development. He emphasized the importance of developing cybersecurity infrastructure and nurturing Indian entrepreneurs who have successfully globalized their ventures.

Bikhchandani concluded the discussion by noting that India has witnessed the unexpected growth of its IT industry over the past few decades. He expressed confidence that startups will continue to thrive, highlighting the example of China challenging the United States in various sectors. When considering the next 25 years, Bikhchandani emphasized the strength of the current startup ecosystem and the need for individuals with a combination of technological expertise and domain knowledge.

In summary, the fireside chat shed light on the future prospects of the Indian ICT industry. The participants highlighted the achievements of the IT services sector, the potential for AI development, the evolving startup ecosystem, and the need for continued investment in education, R&D, and infrastructure to propel India's growth in the coming years.

India's Journey Towards 2047

During an evening session, industry experts shared their insights on India's journey towards 2047 and the role of the IT industry in shaping the nation's future. Pradeep Gupta, CMD of Cybermedia, highlighted the advancements witnessed in the IT industry since the pre-PC era in 1982. He mentioned the emergence of new technologies such as IoT, AR/VR, and AI, which are expected to drive further transformations in the coming years. Gupta expressed optimism about a new world unfolding by 2047.

Harish Mehta, an entrepreneur, discussed the collaborative efforts undertaken by the IT industry under the NASSCOM umbrella. He mentioned the challenges faced in convincing bureaucrats and policymakers about the potential of software development and the subsequent removal of restrictive regulations, which propelled the industry's growth.

The need for increased investment in research and development (R&D) was emphasized, particularly in the telecommunications sector. Sanjay Nayak, MD of Tejas Networks, highlighted the importance of long-term R&D efforts and the need for economies of scale. He emphasized the significance of dominating the domestic market, citing examples of Huawei and ZTE, which generate a majority of their revenues from within China.

The COVID-19 pandemic was also discussed, with the importance of connectivity and trusted sources of information becoming evident. India was recognized as having the second-highest number of R&D engineers globally, positioning it as a potential source of trusted electronic products.

To plan for 2047, Ashank Desai, MD of Mastek, emphasized the need for collective action, starting with strategic thinking from the government. Identifying national competitive advantages, conducting industry studies, and assessing strengths and weaknesses were highlighted as essential steps. Collaboration, trust, and a clear strategy were deemed necessary for progress.

Regarding public-private partnerships, Mehta acknowledged the government's collaboration with the IT industry and emphasized the importance of involving all stakeholders. The consultative process, where industry recommendations were considered, was praised for its effectiveness.

Kiran Karnik, former chairman of NASSCOM, highlighted the absence of a technology think-tank and the need for discussions among stakeholders to address various issues and challenges.

The challenge of skill development was addressed by Kalsi, who mentioned ongoing efforts to identify future skills for various sectors and encouraged industries and engineering colleges to adopt these skills. The National Education Policy 2020 was also cited as an opportunity to align skilling initiatives with education.

Gen. Rajesh Pant highlighted India's favorable geopolitical position, which attracts other nations, and stressed the importance of public-private partnerships in the security domain. The need to engage industries from different sectors, including power, telecom, and finance, was emphasized.

Rajendra Pawar, Chairman of NIIT, emphasized collaboration, freedom, and the liberation of the mind as key drivers for future policy. Prof. NK Goyal from TEMA raised concerns about India's limited addressable market share in exports and the importance of breaking barriers and focusing on R&D to improve this situation.

Nayak highlighted the achievements in the software industry's export focus and the need to amplify that success in the domestic industry. Overcoming cultural challenges and embracing change at a faster pace were identified as important factors for future progress.

Looking ahead to 2047, Desai emphasized the need for strategic partnerships, India's response to global challenges, and addressing cultural aspects. Education and entrepreneurship were seen as positive aspects, but the speed of change and cultural barriers must be overcome to avoid lagging behind.

In summary, the experts highlighted the transformative potential of emerging technologies, the need for increased R&D investment, the importance of public-private partnerships, skill development, and the challenges of addressing cultural barriers and geopolitical dynamics. They stressed the importance of collaboration, strategic thinking, and adapting to global challenges

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