Reflecting on the Pivotal Moments: A Look Back into the Year 2023

Bharath Anantha Srinivas, CEO, Technovos Machinery Private Limited

"Charting the Future: A Year of Disruptive Solutions in Cleantech and Agritech Mobility. As 2023 ends, the journey of innovation in sustainable mobility solutions leaves an indelible mark. This year, the industry witnessed the rise of transformative technologies, exemplified by the disruptive endeavors of pioneers in Cleantech and Agritech. The relentless pursuit of efficiency and safety in material movement became a focal point, with groundbreaking solutions emerging on the horizon. In the quest to address the challenges of occupational fatigue, safety concerns, and inefficiencies, the year saw the emergence of purpose-built machines designed for hyper-local material movement. From electric wheelbarrows to Mini Excavators, these innovations not only transformed industries but also aligned with the vision of Make in India; The year milestones, marked by government grants and industry recognition, underscore the significance of Technovos; role in shaping the future of mobility. After 2023, the legacy of sustainable mobility solutions stands tall as a testament to the unwavering commitment to progress, safety, and pioneering technology in the ever-evolving landscape of material transportation. In the current year, 2024, we eagerly seek funding partners to propel our innovations to the next stage, marking another chapter in our journey toward revolutionary advancements".

Souma Das, Managing Director, India Sub-continent, Alteryx

"Reflecting on the dynamics of the Indian business landscape in 2023, the anticipation for 2024 is marked by fervor for accessible and secure AI-driven decision-making technology. The excitement around AI and, more specifically, generative AI is palpable, fuelled by its potential to revolutionize industries, boost productivity, and spur unprecedented innovation. The anticipation is not just about the technology itself, but the promise it holds for transforming the business landscape by accelerating data-driven insights capable of redefining the competitive dynamics of every sector. From data collection to analysis, interpretation to reporting, generative AI will revolutionize decision-making by enabling employees to take action and stay ahead of the curve. In the pursuit of a competitive edge in the era of decision intelligence, the challenge lies in addressing India's talent shortage. For AI to be successfully integrated into every facet of the organization, it requires a business-wide approach to data-driven decision-making that empowers the entire workforce to take full advantage of the technology. Companies must invest in training and upskilling programs to nurture a pool of skilled professionals adept at understanding the data and harnessing AI's power. Collaborations between academia, industry, and government play a crucial role in bridging the talent gap and fostering an ecosystem supporting AI development and deployment. In the coming year, our focus is clear: Empowering talent by providing access to data and leveraging accessible self-service, low-code/no-code technology. By simplifying the complexities of data science, we aim to make AI accessible to all, achieving true success by enabling non-technical users to build and automate processes without coding. The new year offers opportunities to push boundaries, explore uncharted territories, and redefine success in India's dynamic business ecosystem".

Aveekshith Bushan, Vice President of APAC region, Aerospike

“As we bid adieu to the transformative landscape of 2023, a pivotal year in technology, it prompts us to discern the most important technology trends that have influenced various industries. A new generation of technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and blockchain, has transformed how data is collected across diverse industries. While Large Language Models (LLMs) are getting a lot of attention for their ability to decipher large, unstructured data, their accessibility is becoming an issue. Shifting to smaller, specialized LLM models for accessibility and economic viability is the key. These focused solutions will empower organizations to leverage AI, fostering unprecedented growth and advancement across diverse fields. Transparency will become an even bigger driver in AI as regulatory frameworks around the globe undergo a metamorphosis, spotlighting compliance and transparency. Explainable AI (XAI) will take center stage, ensuring that AI systems articulate clear rationales for their decisions. This transparency is not just a prerequisite; it's paramount to fostering public confidence, addressing ethical concerns, and championing the responsible and accountable deployment of AI".

Nick Magnuson, Head of AI, Qlik

"In 2024, Generative AI takes the spotlight, evolving from a theoretical concept to a practical, business-oriented reality. This shift will particularly manifest in business-to-business (B2B) landscapes, where customized, domain-specific applications of AI take center stage. According to IDC FutureScape projections, by 2026, over 80 percent of generative AI use cases in enterprises will pivot towards tailored models, signifying a departure from standardized solutions to highly specialized solutions. This shift emphasizes the critical importance of data security and governance in developing and maintaining these customized AI models. As organizations strive to address specific challenges, they’ll invest in domain-specific data, leading to the rise of ‘solution fabrics’ that augment the capabilities of generic Generative AI. This transformation urges a reevaluation of traditional AI applications, highlighting their untapped potential for delivering significant organizational value. As the realization broadens, progressive businesses will embrace the broad spectrum of available AI technologies and continually invest in establishing a solid data foundation to support a robust portfolio of existing and future AI solutions. The rise of Generative AI has also sparked significant buzz and a healthy dose of FOMO, elevating AI's importance to C-level and even Board-level discussions. As Generative AI progresses into its practical phase, it's crucial to remember: that every facet of AI holds significance. While Generative AI gains traction, traditional AI - already delivering substantial organizational value - remains largely untapped by many. Organizations should explore the wide range of available AI solutions to optimize the speed and scope of their implementation, maximizing their benefits".

Rajnish Gupta, VP and Head - India & Subcontinent Business, Zebra Technologies

"As India strides into a transformative era, technology is driving sectors towards automation. More focus is being placed on the next generation of automated solutions, as India enters the digital future. This transformative period will witness continued efforts across enterprises, with a focus on upskilling and reskilling initiatives to fortify the workforce and get them up to speed. Additionally, the government has plans to reduce the cost of logistics to a single digit, thereby rendering the transport & logistics and warehousing industry a hotbed for cutting-edge technologies. Enterprises in this sector are also preparing themselves for long-term growth and are digitalizing themselves through the introduction of varying solutions, including mobile computers and wearables, RFID (radio frequency identification), and even machine vision and fixed industrial scanners, just to name a few. Zebra’s latest Warehousing Vision Study has further highlighted the importance of enhancing employee value and retention, with 70 percent of Asia Pacific (including Indian) warehousing decision-makers planning to automate workflows by 2024 for more customer-centric tasks. The study also confirmed that 58 percent of warehouse decision-makers plan to deploy RFID technology by 2028 to help increase their inventory visibility and reduce out-of-stock. The infusion of smart technologies, automated processes, and robust warehouse management systems will transform Indian warehouses into efficient hubs and empower them to meet the evolving demands of a dynamic market in the days ahead".