Turning AI Ambition into Real-World Advantage

As enterprises strive to integrate AI, Amitabh Sarkar of Tata Communications emphasizes that the critical test lies in the infrastructure that supports it. True transformation hinges on the convergence of networks, cloud, security, governance, and trust. While executives often frame AI as an existential threat or a historic opportunity, Sarkar believes the real story is hidden within data centers, networks, and operating models that aim to empower corporate ambitions.

Over the past two decades, technology has transitioned from being a mere support system to becoming the business itself, he notes. This shift has redefined the role of CIOs, who are now judged based on their ability to launch digital services quickly rather than just ensuring uptime and cost control. For Tata Communications, this evolution has also been internal.

While the company was once known for global connectivity, it is now positioning itself as a digital infrastructure and intelligence partner. The focus has expanded from merely connecting locations to providing platforms for AI readiness, cybersecurity, and measurable business outcomes.

Decades ago, clients sought only connectivity between data centers. However, today enterprises operate across multiple clouds, legacy applications, overlapping cybersecurity tools, and fragmented data. Instead of adding complexity, companies need a partner that can simplify and orchestrate these elements. Tata Communications has built its business around this shift, offering a comprehensive suite of services that enable enterprises to connect, secure, and control complex environments.

The story is no longer just about pipes and bandwidth; it encompasses platforms, AI readiness, cybersecurity, and measurable outcomes. This transformation has altered not only what Tata Communications offers but also the range of stakeholders involved. While the chief network officer was once the primary buyer, the buying center now includes multiple functions such as the CMO, CDO, CTO, CIO, and line-of-business leaders.

Tata Communications has shifted from selling technology to selling outcomes like revenue growth, cost efficiency, customer experience, resilience, and security.

However, there is a growing gap between the aspirations for AI and the readiness of enterprise infrastructure. Boardrooms are moving swiftly on AI, but the underlying infrastructure often lags behind. Sarkar warns that treating transformation as a simple purchase of the latest technology can be a mistake. He stresses that the real challenge lies in understanding what business outcomes are being pursued, whether the operating model supports them, and whether the data and people can adapt to new systems securely.

As organizations develop AI agents—digital entities that may soon outnumber human employees—questions about governance, security, and access become increasingly crucial. Identifying, managing, and securing these agents, as well as tracing their decisions, will be essential to avoid AI becoming a mere showcase rather than a practical advantage.

Hybrid cloud environments, while prevalent, often expose hidden stress points. Enterprises must address not just where their workloads reside but how data moves, who accesses it, and under what policies. This architectural depth is vital for consistent governance and security.

Cybersecurity, too, is evolving with the rise of AI. While AI enhances defense capabilities with intelligence and automation, it also equips attackers with sophisticated tools. Traditional perimeter defenses are insufficient in this new landscape. To combat these threats, enterprises must adopt continuous identity, policy, and visibility across all aspects of their operations—users, applications, APIs, data, and AI agents.

This complexity is further amplified in Asia, where Sarkar cautions against a one-size-fits-all approach. The region's diverse landscape requires tailored strategies to effectively manage the intersection of AI and infrastructure.