Cognizant CEO Predicts 2026 As Turning Point For AI Driving Business Value Beyond Infrastructure

Cognizant Chief Executive Officer Ravi Kumar S said 2026 will mark a major turning point in how enterprises derive value from technology, with artificial intelligence set to move the core of value creation away from traditional infrastructure and deeper into business operations. Speaking about the accelerating impact of generative AI, he said Cognizant's work with large enterprises increasingly involves integrating AI into core business workflows.

"In 2026, we are going to see the drift of value from AI infrastructure to businesses. That's what we will work with big entreprises to integrate AI," he told NDTV Profit on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Citing the United States as an example, Kumar noted that out of the country's roughly $15 trillion labour value, nearly $4 trillion is exposed to AI-driven disruption. He explained that Cognizant uses a five‑level "AI exposure score" to assess the vulnerability of different roles, adding that any job with more than 50% exposure faces an “existential challenge” due to automation.

Also Read | Layoffs Are Rising In Tech, But These Skills Are Helping People Unlock Better Pay

• 
  Indian Markets Turning Corner After Two Tough Years, Says Sandeep Tandon
• 
  NDTV Profit Ignite 2026: Experts See Opportunity In Equities, Stay Bullish For Long-Term
• 
  Buy Right, Sit Tight Does Not Work for Individual Stocks, Says Dinshaw Irani
• 
  'Worst Is Behind': Quant MF Sees Market Bottom, Flags 'Extreme Euphoria' In Midcaps
• 
  India's Mutual Fund Industry Could Become A $1 Trillion Opportunity, Say Fund Managers
• 
  'Foreign Investors Are Baraatis': Raamdeo Agrawal's Take On LTCG Tax
• 
  Stay Invested Through Market Cycles: Raamdeo Agrawal at NDTV Profit Ignite
• 
  Ramesh Damani Remains Bullish On India For Next 20-30 Years, Sees Bargains Amid Market Weakness
• 
  CAS Came After A Long Consultation Process: SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey AT NDTV PROFIT IGNITE
• 
  Aim To Cut FPI Onboarding Time From Mth To Five Days: SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey AT NDTV PROFI

According to Kumar, the pace of AI‑driven transformation is rising rapidly. Most jobs globally are seeing an average 7% increase in exposure to AI every year, he said, underscoring the need for companies and workers alike to adapt. “You have to look at AI as a reinvention of enterprises, as a tool to reimagine businesses,” he said, adding that organisations that embrace this shift will see meaningful productivity gains.

He noted that while early advancements in AI focused heavily on replacing human labour, the next phase will be different. The future, according to the Cognizant CEO, will revolve around using AI to amplify human potential, embedding intelligent systems into workflows to enhance capability rather than substitute it. As productivity rises through this human‑AI collaboration, he expects to see corresponding gains in wages and upward mobility.

Kumar emphasised that the coming AI wave represents more than technological adoption. It will lead to a a structural shift in how businesses operate. And for those who adapt quickly, he believes the benefits will be significant.

ALSO READ: 'India's AI Sovereignty': IBM's Krishna Calls For Real-World Applications; Vaishnaw Says Pivot Underway

Essential Business Intelligence, Sharp Market Insights, Practical Personal Finance Advice, Daily Fuel, Gold and Silver Prices and Latest Stories — On NDTV Profit.