In this issue

GENAI:
WALLFLOWERS ARE NOW WALL-FACERS
It is a 4 body problem with GenAI. It is so tough to get that syzygy right where data availability, data privacy, authenticity and enterprise-readiness align to the T and not cause chaos. But how tough, exactly?
Architecting the Next Horizon: ITC’s Digital Blueprint for Future Competitiveness and Growth. P.48
Learning Reimagined: NIIT’s Pioneering Use of Generative A. P34

Beyond the Crystal Ball: Flipkart's AI Predicts What's Next

In the e-commerce industry, from enhancing customer experience to streamlining supply chain logistics, success hinges on innovation. Chief Data Scientist Mayur Datar of Flipkart in a webinar showcases the Generative AI approach, independent of any specific model, positioning the company as a fast adopter of machine learning and AI technologies. AI empowers their dynamic pricing, personalized recommendations, fraud detection, and targeted advertising, optimizing operations and enriching user interactions.

3 mins

Grievance Resolve(d).Adding the 'd' with Gen AI

Here's how a governance area can be re-imagined and transformed from 'painfully and helplessly slow' to 'staggeringly fast and delightful' by rewiring it with a new mindset- and some AI.

5 mins

AI for All: A Future as Accessible as UPI in India

Imagine a future where AI tools are as common and accessible as UPI in India-this is the vision Jaspreet Bindra and Dr. Shalini Lal explore as they discuss transforming AI from a niche technology into a mass tool, paving the way for an era where every individual can harness the power of AI to enhance their daily lives

10+ mins

The Rise of Generative AI in India

In the burgeoning landscape of Artificial Intelligence, the rise of Generative AI (GenAI) heralds both promise and responsibility, echoing Uncle Ben's timeless wisdom: \"With great power comes great responsibility.\"

7 mins

GenAI: Wallflowers are now Wall-facers

It's a 4 body problem with GenAI. It's so tough to get that syzygy right- where data availability, data privacy, authenticity and enterprisereadiness align to the T and not cause chaos. But how tough, exactly?

10+ mins

Al Dating Bots: How Grey! How Shady!

Love may or may not be blind, but it looks like it needs to be blind, deaf and dumb - if it's happening in the world of AI. In a very intriguing, fascinating, and no-corners-left study conducted by Mozilla Foundation's team, a lot of jaw-droppers about romancing with AI surfaced. Like-90% of these apps and bots failed to meet some Minimum-Security Standards.

4 mins

Technology and Cancer Care: Still a Dark Genome

Are we treating cancer better because we can diagnose it faster? Would the base pairing between AI and cancer care get stronger ahead? Would more technology hamper affordability and repeat the classical paradox? In this deep scan of some interstitial tissues of technology and oncology, Dr. Kinjal Jani, Director & Head- Radiation Oncology, HCG Cancer Centre, Ahmedabad explains why technology is helping immensely on personalization and speed; and why some stubborn tumors like affordability, social stigma and human factors continue to envelope cancer-care.

4 mins

AI PCs: This Backpack Just Ate A Four-Stroke V6!

There's a limit to which a CPU-based PC can be stretched for AI workloads. But add some GPU/NPU pistons and you could be looking at something that's still small but now ready with all AI-chops. Is the formula for PCs moving towards AI? Will it run?

10 mins

Technology for Artists- the Canvas or the Portrait?

Arup J Paul, a multidisciplinary visual artist and creative technologist (with 3 patents approved by USPTO, EPO, and SIPO) is busy with a very prolific palette these days. He has been building custom Generative AI data model for visual art. Recently he talked to Editor Sunil Rajguru from his wonder-filled studio in Germany- where he zoomed in on some technology pixels that are emerging in the milieu of an artist. He believes- and persuades- that the artist will stay in the driving seat - as technology's tint gets stronger ahead. Provided- artists do not get lazy or skip the brass-tacks. Let's look at some finer strokes of this future-sketch.

4 mins

Can EdTech Bridge the Gap with Al-Driven Skilling?

In India, with over 1.4 billion people, traditional education struggles to meet the needs of a growing population. Sixty-five percent of the populace is under 35, yet lacks the skills crucial for a modern economy. McKinsey estimates that 450 million workers need upskilling by 2030 to match industry demands. Urgent innovation is required to bridge the gap between potential and opportunity for India's future prosperity.

10+ mins

Hey car, activate autopilot mode! Explore the future of driving

The roar of the engine is fading, replaced by the hum of innovation. The automotive industry is undergoing a revolution, powered by cutting-edge technology. Buckle up as we shift into high gear and explore how advancements in electrification, connectivity, and artificial intelligence are reshaping the way cars are built and driven. We'll dive into the latest tech trends and hear from Vinod Khode, Group Chief IT Officer, Varroc, a leading auto parts manufacturer, about how they're using these advancements to stay ahead of the curve. In conversation with Minu Sirsalewala, Executive Editor, Dataquest.

7 mins

Advancing Smelting Technologies: From traditional smelting to cutting-edge integration

With a wealth of experience and expertise, C Chandru, the CEO of Smelters at Hindustan Zinc Limited, has been instrumental in steering Hindustan Zinc towards technological advancements and operational excellence. In this exclusive interview, we discuss the innovative approaches adopted by Hindustan Zinc, exploring its evolution from traditional smelting methods to the integration of cutting-edge technologies such as AI, drones, and IoT. Join us as we uncover the insights and strategies driving Hindustan Zinc's success in the ever-evolving landscape of smelting technologies. Excerpts

5 mins

Unleashing India’s Tech Potential: Make in India Apps for Global Impact

The opening fireside chat of the Dataquest Digital Leadership Conclave, held as part of the prestigious ICT Awards, set the stage for a compelling discussion on \"Make in India Apps for the World.\" This thematic session underscored India's burgeoning role in the global tech landscape, spotlighting how Indian startups are spearheading innovation to address global challenges. In this article, we delve into the transformative journey of India's tech ecosystem and explore how entrepreneurs are leveraging their expertise to create impactful solutions on a global scale.

2 mins

India's Path to Superpower Status by 2047

In the wake of the Dataquest Digital Leadership Conclave, India 2047, a special discussion moderated by Pradeep Gupta, Chairman of the CyberMedia Group, illuminated the trajectory of India's tech journey towards global eminence. Delving into crucial facets of growth, challenges, and strategic imperatives, the panelists, comprising eminent figures from the industry, outlined a comprehensive roadmap towards realizing India's potential as a tech superpower by 2047.

3 mins

“We Did It!”: Dataquest ICT Jury Awards Showcase Winners’ Speeches Highlighting Indian Pioneering Spirit

At the Dataquest ICT Jury Awards, Srikanth Velamakanni, Co-founder of Fractal Analytics, Dr. BVR Mohan Reddy, Founder of Cyient, and Raman Roy, CMD of Quatrro BPO Solutions, each expressed their gratitude for the recognition bestowed upon them.

2 mins

Rajeev Chandrashekhar, Raman Roy, Dr. BVR Mohan Reddy, and Srikanth Velamakanni emerge as winners at the 31st Dataquest ICT Awards

Rajeev Chandrashekhar, Raman Roy, Dr. BVR Mohan Reddy, and Srikanth Velamakanni, Co-founder, Fractal Analytics have been honored at the 31st Dataquest ICT Awards, an event recognizing excellence and innovation within India's Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector. Established in 1982, Dataquest stands as a pioneering IT industry magazine, playing a pivotal role in fostering growth and progress within the ICT industry.

1 min

There is a price to be paid to be the first.

Srikanth Velamakanni, Co-founder and Group CEO, Fractal Analytics, and winner of the Dataquest Path-breaker of the Year award for 2024, looks back and analyses the dots that led the company from data to AI, from analysis to predictions and from plain AI to Gen AI. Excerpts from a chat with Editor Sunil Rajguru.

4 mins

24 WOMEN IT MAVERICKS OF 2024

Four decades strong, Dataquest turns 42 in 24! To celebrate this milestone, Dataquest Magazine shines a spotlight on the 24 remarkable women decision-makers who are shaping India's enterprise tech landscape. These CIOs, CTOs, CISOS, and CDOS are more than just leaders - they're architects of innovation, pushing boundaries and championing diversity in the tech industry. Join us as we celebrate their achievements and the profound impact they have on India's digital future.

10+ mins

The birth of the BPO industry and many other stories

Raman Roy - the Father of the BPO Industry in India and Life Achievement Award Winner for Dataquest 2023 had a very interesting chat with Editor Sunil Rajguru where he unravelled the story of BPO industry's rise both as a back-office and a third-party specialist-and, later, its ascension to the IT industry's fairy-ring in India. He also looks ahead and tells why, or why not, India can be the future superpower - specially with regulatory bottlenecks. Excerpts:

6 mins

50 not out and still hitting the ball out of the park

Dr. BVR Mohan Reddy - a legend of IT industry's glorious century and also the winner of Dataquest Lifetime Achievement Award presses a time-travel button as he chats with Editor Sunil Rajguru about his journey and IT industry's 'coming of age' story from 1991 to 2024. Find out how the country has traversed from entrepreneurship and education back then to now; and what lies a decade ahead.

6 mins

Need to enhance entrepreneurship, industry partnerships, collaboration and skill development

We now stand at the 19th iteration of the Dataquest Top T-School study, a beacon of trust for students, parents, and recruiters alike. The Dataquest T-School Survey stands as an industry-recognized yardstick for technical education, delving deep into how T-Schools foster essential skills for the technology sector and beyond, casting light upon their contributions to the sector and its ecosystem.

6 mins

Software-ascendancy helps hardware development

Built-to-Order IT hardware, Data Centres in Pizza Boxes, Modular Data Centres and White Boxes - so much is changing in the so-called IT backyard of data centres. Amrish Pipada, CEO, Mega Networks Pvt Ltd gives us a whistle-top tour of this new engine-room and explains trends like modularity, indigenisation and the role of software here.

5 mins

Are you ready for the AI PC?

Are you ready for the AI PC? Probably smarter than us, you see.

6 mins

The importance of integrating AI with existing business functions and tools

Arun 'Rak' Ramchandran, President & Global Head - Consulting & GenAI Practice, Hi-Tech & Professional Services, Hexaware, talks about their GenAI solutions, LLMs, data, cloud, privacy, and sustainability.

6 mins

Empowering sustainable data solutions

In an era where data reigns supreme as the lifeblood of modern enterprises, navigating its complexities while ensuring sustainability has become paramount. Sheila Rohra, Chief Executive Officer of Hitachi Vantara, sits at the helm of one of the industry's leading forces in driving transformative data solutions.

5 mins

EdTech's positive impact on skilling and linguistic diversity

As we witness the evolution of education, the fusion of technology and learning has led to unprecedented advancements, particularly in skilling and addressing linguistic diversity. EdTech platforms have emerged as catalysts, harnessing the power of digital innovation to equip learners with essential competencies while navigating India's rich linguistic diversity.

5 mins

Crucial to integrate GenAl into disciplines like chemistry or biology

As the landscape of technology continues to evolve, transcending geographical boundaries, one key avenue that has played a pivotal role in preparing India's tech-savvy professionals is the collaboration with foreign universities.

4 mins

IT staffing: From funnel-vision to tunnel-vision

Krishna Vij, Business Head, TeamLease Digital distills some recent trends and turning points in the IT workforce landscape. From the long-tail ripples of 'The Great Resignation' to skills that are fading to the relevance of Tier-2 and -3 towns for IT hiring - she gives us a quick CV of the industry that is applying for a new future.

2 mins

Narayana Murthy's criticism is a thought-provoking observation

Intertwining the computer science-related courses into core engineering, teaching AR/VR and technology to Arts-students, signing MoUs but not for the sake of MoUs and bringing industry-skills further upstream - these are just some of the new pages of a new higher-education course being taken in India. Pro Vice-Chancellor Dr. KNS Acharya, GITAM, Bengaluru Campus tells more as he addresses some key doubts in this classroom.

5 mins

How higher education institutions can engage with the industry

The significance of higher education institutions (HEIS) has never been more pronounced than in the era of digital transformation and rapid technological advancement, amid ever-shifting industry landscapes. Higher education institutions play a pivotal role in shaping tomorrow's innovators and at the forefront of this revolution is the Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (IIIT-Delhi). Excerpts from an interview with Dr. Ranjan Bose, Director.

7 mins

Read all stories from DataQuest

DataQuest Magazine Description:

DataQuest Magazine is India's leading technology media publication, providing in-depth analysis of market trends and fast-changing technologies. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to stay ahead of the curve in the Indian IT industry.

Each issue of DataQuest Magazine is packed with essential information for IT professionals, including:

* In-depth analysis of the Indian IT market: DataQuest Magazine's team of experienced journalists provides expert analysis of the key factors driving the Indian IT market, as well as the challenges and opportunities facing Indian IT companies.
* Profiles of successful Indian IT companies and entrepreneurs: DataQuest Magazine profiles the most successful Indian IT companies and entrepreneurs, sharing their stories and insights with readers.
* Interviews with IT leaders and experts: DataQuest Magazine features exclusive interviews with leading IT leaders and experts, providing readers with a first-hand look at the minds of the people who are shaping the Indian IT industry.
* Articles on the latest IT trends and technologies: DataQuest Magazine covers the latest IT trends and technologies, helping readers stay ahead of the curve and make informed decisions.
* Advice on how to start and run a successful IT business: DataQuest Magazine provides valuable advice on how to start and run a successful IT business, from developing a business plan to managing finances to marketing and sales.

Whether you're a seasoned IT professional or just starting out, DataQuest Magazine has something for you. Subscribe today!