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Introduction: A Cautionary Voice in the AI Craze
At a time when artificial intelligence is being hailed as the miracle solution to every modern problem, Narayana Murthy — the co-founder of Indian tech giant Infosys — is calling for a reality check. Speaking at TiECon Mumbai, Murthy didn’t hold back in critiquing what he sees as a misguided trend in India: branding basic code as “AI” without understanding its true essence. His remarks are particularly relevant now, as India’s startup and IT ecosystem races to stay ahead in the global AI revolution. But Murthy’s message was clear — progress must be grounded in substance, not hype.
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Narayana Murthy, a respected voice in the Indian technology space, addressed the audience at TiECon Mumbai with a candid assessment of the country’s AI landscape. He emphasized that the term “artificial intelligence” is being overused, often incorrectly applied to basic software programs. “I’ve seen many ordinary programs touted as AI,” he remarked.
In a conversation with TiE
Murthy further elaborated that deep learning enables computers to create new decision-making pathways without being explicitly programmed, thus pushing the frontier of human-like machine behavior. While he acknowledged that AI will inevitably result in job displacement, he urged entrepreneurs to think long-term. Technology, he said, can grow the economy and generate new jobs if deployed responsibly.
Murthy closed his remarks with a call to action for India’s entrepreneurs: to focus not just on innovation but also on job creation. He criticized dependency on welfare systems and stressed that meaningful employment, not handouts, is the only sustainable way to eradicate poverty.
What Undercode Say:
Narayana Murthy’s perspective strikes a powerful chord at a time when India’s digital transformation is heavily AI-centric, but not always AI-authentic. His criticism of the current landscape reveals an uncomfortable truth — that the term “AI” has become a marketing gimmick, a catchphrase used more to attract investment than to denote real technological breakthroughs.
Murthy’s distinction between machine learning and deep learning is essential for understanding the hierarchy of intelligence in computing. ML, which relies on training data, is largely predictive but limited by its parameters. DL, on the other hand, explores possibilities without needing explicit programming. This aligns with the trajectory of truly adaptive AI, like autonomous systems or generative models.
India’s startup ecosystem must take heed. Many “AI startups” are, in reality, offering glorified automation or business analytics — far from the self-learning systems Murthy refers to. This misrepresentation may be fueling unrealistic investor expectations and could ultimately discredit the country’s real progress in the field.
Another strong point in Murthy’s talk was his pragmatic optimism. He doesn’t deny that AI will replace certain jobs, especially repetitive and manual ones. But like past technological revolutions, he believes AI can also be a job creator — provided companies commit to inclusive innovation. The future lies in creating hybrid roles where humans and machines collaborate, not compete.
Murthy’s final message — that employment, not entitlement, is the path to eradicating poverty — is both economic and moral in nature. In a society where job security is rapidly declining due to tech disruption, this viewpoint urges entrepreneurs and policymakers to think beyond GDP growth, and focus on equitable opportunity.
In summary, Murthy isn’t anti-AI. He is pro-authenticity, pro-responsibility, and pro-India. His message to Indian entrepreneurs: stop chasing buzzwords, and start building real, scalable solutions that not only impress investors but also uplift communities.
🔍 Fact Checker Results:
✅ Narayana Murthy did speak at TiECon Mumbai and criticized the overuse of the term “AI” in India.
✅ His explanation of
✅ His caution about job loss and push for entrepreneurship-driven job creation reflects his longstanding public stance.
📊 Prediction:
In the next 3–5 years, India’s tech landscape will likely see a shift in investor scrutiny—demanding proof of real AI innovation rather than branding. Entrepreneurs who can demonstrate deep learning capabilities, ethical AI design, and social impact are set to rise. Murthy’s speech could serve as a tipping point, pushing the ecosystem to separate hype from hard science. Expect policy shifts too, as the government begins incentivizing AI authenticity through regulation, grants, and research incentives.
References:
Reported By: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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