BENGALURU: Corporate boardrooms are witnessing a quiet but significant shift: directors are becoming AI’s newest apprentices. The change reflects a growing recognition that AI’s impact extends far beyond technology. Directors are increasingly seeking a deeper understanding of how the technology can reshape operations, improve productivity and alter competitive positioning. In many companies, AI has become a standing agenda item, with boards taking a far more active role in deciding where to deploy the technology, how quickly to move and how to manage the associated risks. “Over the last 12-18 months, the nature of boardroom conversations around AI has changed significantly,” said Mohit Joshi, CEO and managing director of Tech Mahindra. “Earlier, AI was largely viewed as a technology or innovation initiative. Today, the focus is more business-driven, centred on competitiveness, operational efficiency, customer value, risk management and long-term growth.” According to Joshi, boards now want to understand how quickly AI can move from experimentation to delivering measurable business outcomes. Leadership teams and directors are becoming increasingly involved in shaping AI strategy, governance frameworks, data readiness and operating models. The shift is visible across industries. At Happiest Minds, AI is no longer viewed as the domain of technology leaders alone. “AI was once seen as the domain of the CTO and CIO. Today, its transformative impact on markets and business models is too fundamental to be treated as an isolated technology initiative,” said Joseph Anantharaju, co-chairman of Happiest Minds. “It is now firmly established as a core strategic priority at the board level.” At Happiest Minds, AI has become a standing agenda item in board discussions, reflecting what Anantharaju described as the widely held view that responsible AI adoption is directly linked to long-term value creation for companies, shareholders and society at large. The company has embedded AI into strategy reviews and capital allocation decisions. Founder and chairman Ashok Soota personally leads the company’s “AI First” programme, while its generative AI business has been elevated into a dedicated business unit under the leadership of chief technology officer Sridhar Mantha. The company also assesses how each business unit and enabling function is leveraging AI to drive competitive advantage and sustained differentiation. The growing engagement of boards with AI comes as companies grapple with questions around risk, accountability and governance. Mphasis chairman Girish Paranjpe said the debate over whether AI will reshape businesses is over. The real challenge is determining where to begin and how fast to move. “In my experience, the limiting factor is rarely budget or technology; it is the board’s and organisation’s appetite for risk,” he said.
