Narayana Murthy Warns Against AI Hype, Tells Startups to Think Big
Infosys Co-Founder NR Narayana Murthy sounded a warning about the increasing hype around artificial intelligence (AI) in India, reiterating that innovation and employment generation not handouts are the means to eradicate poverty. Delivering a keynote address at TiEcon Mumbai 2025, Murthy underlined the perception-reality gap surrounding AI.
"I notice most of the so-called AI, I see, is ridiculous and outdated programming", Murthy said. "There is a fad in India to speak about AI in every single thing. Normal programs are presented as AI". He explained that genuine AI is based on two pillars: machine learning for big-scale correlation and predictive analytics, and deep learning, which replicates the functions of human brains using unsupervised algorithms.
Murthy explained that algorithms that are unsupervised using neural networks have the potential to mimic human abilities better. As much as he recognized that technology will replace some jobs, he believed that AI, if employed as an aid, has the potential to create economic growth and employment.
"In every tech, some jobs will be lost, but if utilized in an assisted way, we can expand the economy", he said. Applying AI in fields such as autonomous transport or healthcare, for example, could result in business growth and more job opportunities.
Encouraging startups to set ambitious global benchmarks, Murthy said, “In the beginning, it looks impossible, but the moment the mindset is created, you’ll start making progress.” He stressed the importance of hiring talent smarter than oneself and fostering a workplace culture open to fresh ideas.
He also cautioned against depending on government subsidies without responsibility. "That's the way you address the problem, and not through freebies. Our poverty will disappear like dew in a sunlit morning,", he claimed. Murthy recommended that subsidies must be accompanied by measurable results, like connecting free power with enhanced student academic achievement.
Looking at the causes of startup failures, he said, 'Every failed startup did not do this', He called upon entrepreneurs to gain respect from all the stakeholders customers, employees, investors, and regulators by always keeping society in mind.
"If you think in terms of doing good to society, you'll get repeat business, employees will join, investors will stay, and even politicians will want you to succeed", he concluded.
Murthy's speech was a pointed reminder that sustainable growth is to be found in innovation, resilience, and an uncompromising pursuit of value creation not in quick fixes or misplaced technology euphoria.
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