Microsoft’s Puneet Chandok calls learning AI a ‘full contact body sport; Shaping the new tech order
In an exclusive interaction with YourStory, Microsoft India & South Asia President Puneet Chandok outlines a practical blueprint for how knowledge workers and enterprises can navigate rapid AI adoption.
Microsoft India & South Asia President Puneet Chandok recently emphasized the importance of learning AI as a "full contact body sport" in a conversation with YourStory. According to Chandok, senior leaders and middle managers must actively engage with AI tools on a daily basis rather than relying on theoretical videos for learning.
Chandok's insights come as Microsoft continues to expand its AI capabilities, with enterprise demand for AI tools driving record revenue of $6.62 billion in Q2 FY26. The company's AI strategy also includes the development of its generative AI engine Firefly and the deployment of autonomous AI agents in flagship products like Photoshop and Premiere.
As technology evolves, Chandok highlights that AI's strength lies in handling reasoning and execution tasks, while human traits such as taste, judgment, curiosity, and empathy remain crucial differentiators. Companies must restructure their legacy workflows to accommodate 24/7 token execution and avoid simply layering AI models onto existing, flawed operational systems.
In addition to Microsoft, other companies are making strides in AI development. Adobe appointed Anil Chakravarthy, an Indian-origin executive, as its next President and Chief Executive Officer, effective December 1, 2026. Chakravarthy, previously the CEO of Informatica, will oversee Adobe's Digital Experience business as it advances its generative AI engine Firefly and deploys AI agents across its product suites.
Written by urgent.news from YourStory's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
