'No AI is Going to Replace People'

Kyndryl India President Lingraju Sawkar on the IT services company's commitment of $2.25 billion for its India operations to focus on AI innovation, skilling and training

- By PAYAL GANGULY

Since its spin-off from IBM in 2021, IT infrastructure services provider Kyndryl has reinvented itself strategically.

The NYSE-listed entity with significant India operations has improved its overall profitability, with a conscious effort at exiting low-margin contracts. The company has managed to break free of legacy infrastructure, adding automation and AI (artificial intelligence) to improve efficiency.

Kyndryl has moved from being a managed IT services company to diversifying to platform engineering, AI, application services, and a provider of business modernisation services, moving from a product IP company to a services-focussed entity.

A provider of mission-critical enterprise technology services, Kyndryl has seen its core business areas, including Kyndryl Consult and Hyperscaler integration services with public cloud providers, drive revenues. The company has also seen growth with its AI-powered open integration digital business platform Kyndryl Bridge.

In Q1FY26, Kyndryl reported a flat revenue of $3.74 billion, with improved profitability and Ebitda reaching $647 million.

In August, the company announced its plans to invest $2.25 billion in India towards developing an AI lab and future-ready talent in the country. Lingraju Sawkar, president at Kyndryl India, speaks with Forbes India about how the company is deploying AI for business and for its internal functions to scale the next phase of growth. Edited excerpts:

Q Can you tell us more about the $2.25 billion investment in India and what portion of it is earmarked for AI-focussed initiatives?