Infosys Modernisation Head Talks AI’s Role in the Process
AI has rapidly emerged as a transformative force, reshaping industries worldwide.
From better personalisation, to automated tasks, AI’s capabilities are redefining how businesses operate and innovate.
As its applications continue to expand, the need for organisations to embrace modernisation becomes ever more pressing.
Yet, getting to the point in which you can modernise is a journey in itself. But what if AI could help you better get along the journey?
To explore the intersection of AI and modernisation, we spoke with Naresh Duddu, Associate Vice President and Global Head of Modernisation at Infosys, about how these trends are shaping the future of industries.
AI’s impact across industries
AI is already reshaping sectors as diverse as healthcare, manufacturing, and financial services.
Naresh emphasises the breadth of AI’s influence, “AI is fundamentally reshaping many industries. It diagnoses diseases and devises personalised treatments in healthcare, aids banks in detecting fraud and making investment choices, and streamlines production with predictive maintenance and auto quality control in manufacturing.”
This wide-ranging impact illustrates AI’s potential to address complex problems that once seemed insurmountable.
In healthcare, for instance, AI-driven diagnostics are enabling earlier detection of diseases, while in banking, sophisticated algorithms are enhancing security by identifying fraudulent activity in real time.
The transformative power of AI not only improves efficiency but also opens new opportunities for modernisation.
Such modernisation of systems enables organisations to adapt AI technologies and use them for their ever-changing business environment.
Naresh highlights its importance, noting: “Modernisation has become instrumental for organisations to achieve faster innovation, efficient operations, better competitive positioning, and improved customer experiences.”
Recent research underscores this, with 87% of respondents in a survey by Foundry citing modernisation of critical applications as a key success factor.
However, modernisation is not without its challenges. High costs, technical debt, and skill shortages can impede progress.
“Modernisation can be challenging due to several factors. It is not always easy to quantify its value upfront, and it often requires a high budget, even though the long-term benefits justify the investment. Technical debt, skill shortages, long time to value, and fear of disruption also make modernisation challenging,” Naresh explains.
Forbes estimates that 70% of technology leaders view technical debt as a significant barrier to innovation.
Addressing these obstacles is essential for unlocking the full potential of modernisation initiatives.
Accelerating modernisation with Gen AI
Gen AI has emerged as a powerful tool for accelerating modernisation. According to Naresh, AI’s use in IT starts with the lifecycle.
“AI can enhance the entire IT lifecycle, from developing new systems to maintaining and modernising existing ones,” he explains.
“For example, AI can help in assessing the ‘as-is’ state of legacy systems, predicting optimised business processes, automating refactoring of monolithic applications into microservices, and optimising existing systems.”
By leveraging Gen AI, businesses can significantly reduce the time and cost associated with modernisation.
The key to maximising AI’s potential lies in strategic implementation. Naresh advises organisations to focus on developing a robust business case, investing in talent, and adopting an ‘AI-first’ mindset.
“To become an AI-first organisation, focus on four key dimensions: AI-first Experience and Processes, AI Engineering Excellence, Responsible AI by Design, and an AI Operating Model,” Naresh explains.
This comprehensive approach ensures that AI integration is not only effective but also ethical and sustainable.
AI as a tool to modernise
The adoption of AI and modernisation strategies offers immense opportunities for businesses to enhance user experiences, streamline operations, and gain a competitive edge.
As Naresh puts it, the latest developments in Gen AI make this the ideal time to combine traditional automation with AI to deliver modernisation programs that are “faster, better, and cheaper.”
For organisations willing to embrace the challenges of modernisation, the rewards are transformative, paving the way for a future defined by innovation and adaptability.
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