The Era Of Applied AI | Hemant Taneja On Turning AI Innovation Into Impact | India Today AI Summit

Applied AI serves as a critical engine for global enterprise transformation, moving beyond the hype of foundational models to deliver tangible productivity gains and revenue growth. Hemant Taneja, CEO of General Catalyst, emphasizes that while infrastructure and model development remain competitive, the true value lies in integrating AI into existing enterprises to create "AI-native" operations. For India, the path forward involves leapfrogging legacy systems in sectors like healthcare and agriculture, utilizing the country's vast engineering talent to solve complex, large-scale problems. Rather than merely mimicking global trends, Indian entrepreneurs should focus on unique, problem-solving innovations that address local needs while building globally scalable products. Success in this era requires a shift toward iterative, forward-deployed engineering, enabling businesses to navigate technological ambiguity and achieve long-term, sustainable impact.