AI and the Future of Work : Panel Discussion - I at 23rd Infotech Forum 2025

The first panel discussion at the event, moderated by Dr. Deepak Kumar Sahu, Editor-in-Chief of VARINDIA, brought together eminent CIOs and CTOs to deliberate on the topic, “AI and the Future of Work.” The distinguished panellists included Ashis Rout, Sr. Vice President (IT), Ex-HDFC Bank; Vijay Sethi, Chairman, Mentorkart and Crafsol Technologies; Bharat B Anand, Group CIO & CTO, Contec Global; Anil Nama, CIO, CtrlS Datacenters & Cloud4C; and Sandeep Sengupta, Founder & Director, ISOAH Data Securities.

Opening the session, Dr. Sahu underlined how rapid advancements in AI and cloud technologies are redefining job roles, organizational structures, and business models. He urged industry leaders to share their perspectives on how these innovations are impacting the businesses, setting the stage for a compelling conversation on how enterprises must evolve to stay relevant in the future of work.

From L-R: Dr. Deepak Kumar Sahu, Editor-in-Chief, VARINDIA; Bharat B Anand, Group CIO & CTO, Contec Global; Vijay Sethi, Chairman, Mentorkart and Crafsol Technologies; Anil Nama, CIO, CtrlS Datacenters & Cloud4C; Ashis Rout, Sr. Vice President (IT), Ex-HDFC Bank; and Sandeep Sengupta, Founder & Director, ISOAH Data Securities

ANIL NAMA,
CIO, CTRLS DATACENTERS & CLOUD4C

“Artificial intelligence is the next phase in the evolution of IT—from data entry and ERP systems to a world driven by insights and action. Business data, once passively stored, now fuels predictions, alerts, and even automated responses, reducing downtime and improving efficiency. The real shift, however, is cultural: moving from manual trust to machine trust. Many still hesitate to act on AI-generated data without verification, especially in traditionally mechanical or electrical roles. Bridging this belief gap is critical. Additionally, the old approach of dumping data for later processing must evolve—data today must be clean, real-time, and accessible to everyone, not just experts. AI demands not only new skills but a transformed mindset. As organizations adopt AI, the challenge isn’t just technology—it’s enabling people to believe in it, act on it, and let data drive decisions. AI brings benefits— when we’re ready.”

VIJAY SETHI
CHAIRMAN, MENTORKART AND CRAFSOL TECHNOLOGIES

“AI is not a fad—it’s here to stay. It has moved beyond pilots and is now embedded in production systems, reshaping job roles across all levels. From automating data entry and quality checks using AI, RPA, and optical vision, to enabling predictive maintenance and supporting senior-level decision-making, AI is everywhere. It’s driving a cultural shift toward data-driven decision-making. New roles are emerging rapidly—prompt engineers, AI ethicists, model governance experts, and cloud-AI architects. To successfully scale AI, start small, ensure your data is clean and reliable, and most importantly, focus on reskilling and building trust in data throughout the organization. Companies that fail to adapt risk being left behind in this ongoing transformation.”

BHARAT B ANAND,
GROUP CIO & CTO, CONTEC GLOBAL

“AI began as flawed and merely imitative but has evolved into augmented and artificial intelligence, becoming a true disruptor. While reports predict 44% of jobs impacted over 3 decades, this disruption also creates opportunities—97 million new jobs are expected. The real focus must be on how we handle this change through upskilling and reskilling ourselves to stay relevant. Engaging with newer generations who inherently understand this tech is essential. Security remains critical; AI adoption requires defense-in-depth strategies with ongoing awareness since threats grow with new touchpoints. Data privacy is paramount and will drive new roles and regulations. For AI integration, start with high-impact, low- risk initiatives, then monitor, measure, and adjust continuously. Ultimately, AI is an opportunity, not a threat—it’s about how we embrace and adapt to it.”

ASHIS ROUT,
SR. VICE PRESIDENT (IT), EX-HDFC BANK

“AI, like in my school days’ stories, often starts off unrelated or flawed but gradually gains precision. Human intelligence remains

superior since we created AI, but AI excels in scale, volume, and centralized tasks— especially critical in BFSI, where data is public money. AI plays a vital role in cybersecurity today, enabling predictive threat analysis and faster responses. With emerging regulations like DPDP, data privacy and zero-trust access are becoming mandatory, impacting how data is handled across organizations. Many projects fail due to low accuracy, so focusing on usable results is key. Compliance must extend beyond internal teams to vendors processing data. The future of work with AI demands continuous upskilling and learning to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving landscape.”

SANDEEP SENGUPTA,
FOUNDER & DIRECTOR, ISOAH DATA SECURITIES

“Most companies are unprepared for the true risks of AI-driven automation. While people focus on tools like ChatGPT or Copilot, dangerous variants like WormGPT and FraudGPT operate in the shadows. Security shouldn’t stop at infrastructure— humans, especially top executives, are often the weakest links, traveling with unprotected devices. Many organizations are simply playing with AI, not using it meaningfully. Prompt engineering should be part of school education, but AI must not become our teacher—it often gives confidently wrong answers. Worse, if AI starts learning human traits like greed or violence, it could become a serious threat. To manage this risk, AI must be explainable, auditable, and traceable. Adopting standards like ISO 420001 and ensuring third-party compliance is essential. AI won’t replace humans—but it will replace lazy ones who fail to adapt.”