Buckle up to all the readers, because Jaipur recently witnessed a keynote at the WeRise platform that completely shifted the perspective of many on Artificial Intelligence. Ajay Data, the MD of Data Group of Industries, didn’t just talk about AI; he practically threw us headfirst into the AI revolution. Forget the sci-fi movies – this is happening now, and Data’s insights were nothing short of electrifying.
From the moment he took the stage, you could feel his conviction. He kicked things off with a powerful throwback, drawing a line in the sand between the pre-Internet era and our current reality. “When I got an opportunity in 1999 to bring in internet to Rajasthan, nobody could think of that there would be a time when we would see a life which is impossible to imagine without the internet. We are sitting today. In 1999, that was not the thought. Right, nobody could think of. But today we can’t think of life without the internet, can we? We can’t think, right? AI is exactly on that path.” This really hit home. Think about it – life without the internet feels unimaginable now, and Data is saying AI is heading down that exact same road. Prepare for a world where AI isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the very fabric of our existence.
Watch the full Keynote address here: https://youtu.be/6C7DE1GxZjY
AI Isn’t Just for the Tech Gurus (Spoiler: It’s for Everyone)
One of the biggest takeaways was Data’s clear message that AI isn’t some exclusive club for tech wizards. “It might sound it is not for me, it is for software people, it is for technical people, it is for big people, but it is going to impact everyone’s life.” This was a huge sigh of relief! Sometimes, these tech talks can feel so distant, so geared towards the Silicon Valley crowd. But Data brought it down to earth, emphasising the universal impact AI is about to have on our day-to-day lives and businesses, no matter the size.
The Thinking Machines Are Here
Then came the real mind-bender. Data articulated a fundamental shift in power. “First time in the mankind, a power which has gone into the machines, the power of thinking, the power which was only in the hands of the people like us has now got into the machines. Machines can perform exactly same task or better what human used to do, what human was only expected to do, now machines can do. So obviously, now you have a competition. It’s a simple thing. What I could do, a machine can do. So it’s a direct competition.” Whoa. This isn’t just about automation anymore; it’s about machines stepping into roles we once thought were uniquely human. It’s a direct challenge, but also, as Data pointed out, a massive opportunity for those who are ready to wield this new power.
He quickly shifted the narrative from competition to collaboration. “But AI is the power which we can use in our hands. We are going to share that. And digital transformation is, obviously we all know, we have been doing many, many aspects. We saw the growth, the technology, the efficiency, the accuracy. We must use tools to digitally transform our applications, our organizations.” AI isn’t just a rival; it’s the ultimate sidekick in our digital transformation journey, promising unprecedented levels of efficiency and accuracy.
SMEs, Listen Up! This is Your Moment!
Data then laser-focused on the incredible potential of AI for SMEs. Forget feeling like the little guy – AI is the ultimate equalizer! “That digital transformation is the first step. And now, when you’re starting, AI becomes a very good ally. Why it is very critical for SMEs? Why it is very, very important? And this should motivate all of you today. There are companies in this world today, which started in 2024, doing a business using AI, more than 500 crore, 200 crore, 1,000 crore in a year. And they are not sitting somewhere in the world. Some of them are Indians.” This blew me away! Companies that barely existed a year ago are already hitting massive revenue figures thanks to AI. This isn’t some distant future; it’s happening right now, and Indian businesses are right in the thick of it.
He contrasted this exciting reality with the daily grind that often traps established businesses. It’s tough to look up and see the bigger picture when you’re constantly dealing with the day-to-day fires. But Data’s message was clear: ignore the AI revolution at your peril. He even dropped some truth bombs about giants who failed to adapt – Blackberry, Nokia, Kodak. The size of your company doesn’t matter if you’re not willing to embrace the future.
Real Talk: Chatbots, Quotes, and the Magic of Prompting
Data then got into the nitty-gritty, showcasing tangible ways AI is already making a difference. He demystified chatbots, pointing out their affordability and potential to revolutionize customer interaction. Then he blew my mind with the idea of AI-powered customized quotes – no more generic, seven-page documents! Imagine tailoring every proposal to your client in minutes.
But the real game-changer he introduced was prompt engineering. Forget needing a computer science degree – it’s all about learning how to talk to AI effectively. “To use AI, one thing which you all have to learn and one thing if you can take back out of this conference is a prompt engineering. For you, for your children, for your family, for your employees, prompt engineering. It is not the education which you are supposed to acquire. Prompt engineering is a language to talk to AI tool, simple.” It’s like learning a new language, but this language unlocks the incredible power of AI. And the best part? It’s mostly plain English! Learning how to structure your requests – giving AI a role, scope, and examples – is the key to getting incredible results. Data even said you could become proficient in just two days!
Watch the full Keynote address here: https://youtu.be/6C7DE1GxZjY
Mind-Blowing Examples: Automated Meetings and Instant Presentations
To really drive his point home, Data shared some incredible real-world examples from his own company. Imagine this: automatic minutes of meetings! Two-hour conversations summarized, decisions recorded, and actionables listed – all without lifting a finger. The technology is here, folks, and it’s readily available.
But the mic-drop moment for me was when he revealed that his entire presentation was AI-generated! “All the slides you have seen so far, including this, I have not made these slides. Who made these slides? They made them. I just gave my idea, or prompt. Idea, which has a content, and the prompt. And this slide got designed. You honestly tell me, this slide which is in front of you, if you have to design, will you take 15-20 minutes, yes or no? One slide. I made this entire slide in 15 minutes. All of them. Think about it. We have to make presentations every day.” Fifteen minutes for an entire presentation?! My jaw literally dropped. Think of the hours we could save! He even mentioned the Gama app, which can create entire presentations from a simple prompt in minutes – complete with images and relevant information. Revolutionary doesn’t even begin to cover it.
Small Tweaks, Big Impact: Gemini as Your New Best Friend
Data then shared a simple yet genius productivity hack: setting your browser’s homepage to Gemini. “In my company, we are around 2,000 people in the company. In 2023 and somewhere, we decided that we will not use home page of Google. So, what comes on the home page of our browser? Whenever we open the browser, what comes? Google? What if we are using Chrome? You can set your home page, Gemini. It is free. So, now imagine how much productivity you will increase. Do you know that? Only on this much. Free tool available to all of you. In your browser, you have to set Gemini as a default for all the employees. The research data says it is more than 10% efficiency in the company. 10% If there are 100 people, then 10 people’s salary is free. Think.” A 10% increase in efficiency just by changing a browser setting? That’s insane! And it’s a free tool available to everyone. This kind of practical, immediately actionable advice was gold.
He also highlighted the power of tools like Canva AI and Grammarly, showcasing how they can streamline content creation and refine communication, often with free versions to get you started.
The Strategic Play: AI in HR and Beyond
Moving beyond the basics, Data delved into strategic AI integration. His example of using AI for the initial screening of job applicants was mind-blowing. Imagine cutting down the cost per interview from thousands of rupees to just a couple of hundred, eliminating bias, and freeing up countless hours for your HR team. This wasn’t just theoretical; it’s something his company is already implementing with incredible results. He urged us to look for similar opportunities to embed AI into our core business processes, from CRM to robotic automation.
The Bottom Line: You Don’t Need to Be a Techie to Lead the AI Charge!
Data’s concluding message was incredibly empowering. “You don’t need to be techie to lead with AI. Trust me on that.” He shared a powerful story about a testing lead in his software team who, despite not knowing how to code, was able to deliver a full application with the help of AI. This wasn’t just about automation; it was about augmenting human capabilities and unlocking potential we didn’t even know existed.
The Future is Here (Faster Than You Think!)
Looking ahead, Data painted a vivid picture of the near future, filled with affordable home robots and driverless cars becoming commonplace. The pace of change is accelerating, and we need to be ready.
His final words were a powerful call to action: “So it is important to switch. Look for AI. Look for opportunity. Start worrying about what will hit you. Definitely AI is going to hit all of you.”
Ajay Data’s keynote wasn’t just informative; it was a wake-up call. The AI revolution isn’t coming; it’s here, and it’s transforming everything. We need to embrace it, learn how to use it, and start thinking strategically about how it will impact our businesses. The opportunity is massive, but the risk of inaction is even greater. I left that room feeling inspired, a little overwhelmed, but ultimately incredibly excited about the future. We need to start exploring these tools now and figure out how AI can give us a competitive edge. This isn’t just about staying relevant; it’s about unlocking a whole new level of potential. Let’s get to work!
Watch the full Keynote address here: https://youtu.be/6C7DE1GxZjY
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