The Role of India in Shaping AI Innovations Across Industries

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping global industries at a rapid pace, with India at the forefront of these transformative shifts. The country’s global capability centres (GCCs) are becoming hubs of AI development and innovation, providing advanced solutions that impact sectors ranging from travel to automotive and retail. As AI continues to drive innovation, India’s role in global value creation has never been more significant. This article explores how India is evolving as a key player in AI-driven transformation and why its global tech centres are critical to the future of industries worldwide.

A Personalized Future for Travelers with AI

Mani Ganeshan, Senior VP of Engineering for Asia Pacific and Head of India at Amadeus, a leading Spanish travel technology company, emphasized how AI is revolutionizing the travel industry. “An airline marketing to a segment of one,” Ganeshan said, highlighting the personalization AI enables in travel experiences. Gone are the days of generic travel websites; today, airlines can create landing pages specifically tailored to individual preferences, booking history, and travel habits.

Amadeus, which serves airlines, hotels, and travel agencies, has leveraged AI to develop customized offers for travelers, providing highly personalized experiences. The company’s technology hub in India plays a pivotal role in powering these innovations. Thousands of professionals in India analyze vast amounts of data to ensure that every journey feels unique and tailored to individual travelers.

AI’s Expanding Reach in the Automotive Industry

AI’s influence isn’t limited to the travel industry. Latha Chembrakalam, VP and Head of India’s Technical Centre at Continental, a global automotive parts manufacturer, shared how AI is transforming automotive technology. Continental’s India-based engineers are working on radar systems, autonomous mobility technologies, and AI-driven safety features for vehicles. “AI sits behind the steering wheel instead of a human,” said Chembrakalam, illustrating how AI is essential to enhancing vehicle safety, ease of use, and the joy of driving.

Continental’s Indian team is working on cutting-edge camera systems for driver monitoring, predictive hazard identification, and rider assistance technologies for two-wheelers. These AI-driven innovations are already being adopted globally, reinforcing the role of India’s tech talent in shaping the future of mobility.

Revolutionizing Retail with AI at Lowe’s

Retail is another sector where India’s global tech centres are making a major impact. Amit Kapur, VP of AI and Data Analytics at Lowe’s, one of the largest home improvement chains in the US, discussed how AI is revolutionizing the shopping experience. The India-based team at Lowe’s has significantly contributed to the creation of Milo, an AI-powered chat assistant designed to enhance customer service.

AI is also being used to improve in-store operations. Lowe’s India team is working on computer vision systems to monitor customer behavior, such as tracking the amount of time a shopper spends in an aisle. If a customer seems stuck, store associates are automatically notified to assist. These AI-driven systems have shown promising results in improving customer satisfaction and efficiency.

AI in Travel: Enhancing Efficiency and Convenience

Ganeshan further highlighted the convenience AI offers to travelers. For example, AI-based systems now allow airlines to instantly provide travelers with cancellation charges and refund information, eliminating the long wait times previously associated with customer service calls. Additionally, AI technologies like biometrics are improving airport efficiency by enabling smoother passenger flows, particularly in new airports in India such as those in Noida and Navi Mumbai.

Amadeus employs 4,000 engineers in India who are instrumental in driving these innovations, making travel experiences more seamless and efficient worldwide.

Shifting from Cost Arbitrage to Strategic Leadership

Santosh Rao, who leads the business unit for GCCs within IBM Consulting India and South Asia, emphasized the evolution of India’s tech centres. While GCCs were once seen primarily as hubs for cost arbitrage and incremental research and development, they are now central to customer-centric innovation and digital transformation projects. “Clients now trust their India teams to deliver on strategic AI initiatives,” Rao explained.

The shift from cost-cutting to value creation has made Indian hubs integral to global enterprises’ AI strategies. India’s growing role in product development, AI-driven revenue streams, and the safeguarding of intellectual property is a testament to its changing position in the global tech landscape.

What Undercode Says:

As AI becomes increasingly embedded in all industries, India is positioning itself as a key player in the future of global innovation. The growth of GCCs in India has shifted from focusing solely on backend support to becoming strategic centres for AI development and cutting-edge technologies.

This shift represents a massive opportunity for India to lead the global AI revolution, not only in terms of engineering but also in driving customer-focused product development and creating new business models. The expertise developed within Indian hubs has become indispensable for major global companies in travel, automotive, retail, and other sectors.

The rise of AI is also shifting the nature of global business itself. As Santosh Rao from IBM Consulting pointed out, India’s tech centres are moving beyond their traditional roles, now offering leadership in areas such as digital transformation, data architecture, and AI governance. Companies are increasingly relying on these centres to manage AI deployment in a way that ensures fairness, transparency, and privacy — crucial elements in maintaining customer trust and promoting responsible innovation.

India’s emergence as a leader in AI innovation could also have broader implications for the country’s economy. By fostering a culture of innovation, India is not only contributing to the global tech ecosystem but is also positioning itself as a hub for future technological advancements, attracting both talent and investment from around the world.

Fact Checker Results: Analyzing the Claims

AI Personalization in Travel: True. Airlines and travel tech companies, like Amadeus, are increasingly using AI to offer personalized experiences for customers, driven by data from booking history and personal preferences.
AI in Automotive Safety: True. India-based engineers at Continental are working on AI-powered radar systems and autonomous vehicle technologies that enhance safety and driving experience.
AI in Retail: True. Lowe’s is leveraging AI to improve customer service through chat assistants and in-store technologies, improving operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

These examples clearly illustrate the growing significance of India’s AI hubs in shaping the future of global industries.

References:

Reported By: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/technology/times-techies/indias-gccs-are-driving-ai-projects-for-global-ops/articleshow/119624360.cms
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