Panel Discussion: The AI-First Enterprise: What CIOs Must Prioritize Now

Panelists in the videos:
+ Sathya Natarajan, Head- IT, Bajaj Auto
+ Raghu Vokuda, CIO and CDO, JSW Cement
+ Rajkumar Ayyella, CIO, KEC International
+ Vikas Gupta, SVP & CIO, BAJEL Projects
+ Mohit Agarwal, Head – Digital Transformation & IT Procurement Governance, Wockhardt Ltd
+ Srikanth RP, Editor, Express Computer, The Indian Express Group (Moderator)

Key Highlights:
[1] Raghu Vokuda, CIO and CDO, JSW Cement:
+ In manufacturing, AI autonomy must be guided by operational risk and reversibility. Agentic systems can monitor energy demand and supply, generate recommendations and seek human approval before execution, enabling greater automation while keeping critical decisions under human supervision.

[2] Vikas Gupta, SVP & CIO, BAJEL Projects:
+ AI agents can help monitor extensive, geographically diverse infrastructure by combining digital twins, real-time alerts and historical data to predict potential risks. However, while agents can automate routine decisions, critical situations require human intervention, coordinated field inspections and informed decision-making.

[3] Mohit Agarwal, Head – Digital Transformation & IT Procurement Governance, Wockhardt Ltd.:
+ Scaling digital transformation across geographies is not just about technology; it requires organisational willingness, overcoming language barriers and addressing fragmented data. Even the best technology cannot deliver consistent outcomes without standardised, usable data across markets.

[4] Sathya Natarajan, Head- IT, Bajaj Auto:
+ A POC should not simply prove that a technology works; it should establish whether the organisation is building the right capabilities to deliver tangible business outcomes. Without that link, digital transformation risks becoming a pet project driven by individual KPIs rather than long-term business value.

[5] Rajkumar Ayyella, CIO, KEC International:
+ AI adoption in manufacturing must be driven by measurable business outcomes, not ambition alone. A phased approach can help organisations optimise processes, reduce material wastage and maintain consistent product quality while working within existing investment constraints.