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Anant Adya, EVP and Service Offering Head, Infosys
How do cloud and AI intersect to drive digital transformation across industries, and what are some key applications?
Enterprises are trying to find new ways to seek value from AI. To do that, they need interconnected applications, and these applications generate massive amounts of data. This needs a robust cloud-powered foundation – a hybrid cloud that goes beyond just public and private cloud, extending from the edge to core to cloud. This kind of enterprise must be digital, composable, and autonomous. Cloud infrastructure provides the foundation for AI algorithms, offering the right scalability, data storage, and processing power to handle the complexities of advanced analytics. The cloud serves as the robust infrastructure, while AI acts as the transformative engine.
Some examples of real-world applications where AI and the cloud intersect:
In the energy sector, they enhance production and distribution by analyzing smart grid data for efficient supply management. Streaming services leverage AI for content recommendations, while cloud tools assist in video editing and copyright management. Logistics companies optimize delivery times and routes with AI, improving efficiency and reducing costs. In finance, cloud-based AI automates trading, detects fraud, and improves customer service with chatbots. Retailers are enhancing customer experiences through personalized recommendations and inventory management using customer data analysis.
State the benefits of an agile enterprise infrastructure on the cloud and how businesses can maximize these advantages.
It provides exceptional scalability to adjust resources dynamically in response to changing demands, which ensures optimal performance and cost efficiency. Additionally, it enhances flexibility, allowing for rapid application deployment and adaptation to evolving market conditions. Improved collaboration capabilities and robust disaster recovery solutions also strengthen operational resilience. To fully utilize these advantages, enterprises should adopt a comprehensive strategy. This strategy should include developing a detailed cloud roadmap, embracing DevOps methodologies for streamlined development, prioritizing automation and security, fostering a cloud-native culture, and continuously optimizing cloud expenditures. By carefully implementing these strategies, businesses can harness the transformative power of the cloud, drive innovation, increase agility, and gain a competitive edge in the digital era.
Why is it essential to tailor cloud solutions to industry-specific needs, and what would be the right approach?
Customizing cloud solutions to fit the unique needs of various industries is vital due to specific requirements around compliance, security, and operational workflows. Sectors like healthcare, finance, and government face strict regulations such as HIPAA and PCI DSS, which generic cloud solutions often cannot address effectively. Tailored solutions can incorporate necessary security protocols and data protection measures. At Infosys, we have designed industry-specific cloud solutions such as Infosys Cobalt Airline Cloud, Infosys Cobalt Financial Services Cloud, and Infosys Agri-Chemical Cloud to meet these unique needs. The Infosys Cobalt Airline Cloud delivers cloud-native business solutions for the airline industry, facilitating seamless loyalty management, personalized customer experiences, and smart monitoring. Infosys FS Cloud is designed for financial services, providing secure, vertical cloud platforms that help small and medium-sized enterprises accelerate their cloud adoption and innovation. The Infosys Agrichem Cloud offers AI-first, cloud-native services tailored to agriculture businesses and chemical manufacturers, optimizing supply chain value and enhancing human experiences.
To effectively customize cloud solutions, businesses should: 1) understand the industry’s specific needs and regulations, 2) assess existing IT infrastructure, 3) choose a flexible partner for customization, 4) integrate the solution with current systems and provide user training, and 5) continuously monitor and optimize performance and security. This approach allows businesses to leverage cloud technology to foster innovation and improve efficiency.
Elaborate on the role of Infosys Cobalt in enabling scalable cloud infrastructure and AI-driven innovation for businesses.
In 2020, we launched Infosys Cobalt with a primary emphasis on technology. Over time, the narrative surrounding Infosys Cobalt has evolved significantly. We have transitioned from a focus on cost-saving and operational optimization to a strategic emphasis on growth and transformation. Cobalt’s journey began with essential activities, such as migrating data centers, modernizing legacy infrastructure, and transferring workloads. However, this foundational work has enabled us to develop industry-specific solutions, marking a noteworthy strategic shift.
We have introduced a range of industry cloud offerings. Additionally, we have effectively leveraged our platforms – such as Edge, Equinox, and Finacle – to foster innovation and enhance operational efficiency for our clients. With Infosys Topaz, we have positioned ourselves as pioneers in establishing a cohesive narrative that integrates artificial intelligence and cloud computing, emphasizing the interdependence of AI and cloud technologies.
The emphasis on efficiency and AI-driven transformation highlights the critical importance of migrating infrastructure to the cloud, modernizing applications, and engaging in platform engineering – domains in which our clients continue to make substantial investments. Additionally, business transformation is vital, encompassing enterprise applications and SaaS capabilities. As we pursue these transformations, we place significant emphasis on security and sustainability. Security is a foundational consideration integrated into our designs from the outset. Similarly, sustainability is a core component of every solution we develop, ensuring that our impact is both lasting and meaningful. Our vision is to create a fluid and timeless enterprise that maximizes the value of AI.
To achieve this, organizations will require interconnected applications that generate substantial amounts of data. For this system to operate effectively, a robust cloud foundation is essential—a hybrid cloud that encompasses edge, core, and cloud functionalities. Such an enterprise must be digital, composable, and autonomous. This approach enables organizations to mitigate the concerns associated with constant migrations and disruptive changes, allowing them to focus on delivering value through successful business and technology outcomes.
How are cloud and AI creating new opportunities for enterprises, and what are the strategies for using them?
Businesses can enhance efficiency by using cloud-based AI for IT performance management. AI predicts issues, reduces downtime, and evaluates cloud usage to control costs. It also strengthens cybersecurity by detecting threats in real time.
A unified data strategy is vital for leveraging data. The cloud integrates various data sources, enabling AI to generate valuable insights and facilitating timely decision-making. Companies can also monetize anonymized data insights, creating new revenue streams. AI transforms the workforce by providing collaboration tools that boost productivity and offering tailored training programs. No-code and low-code AI tools allow non-technical staff to develop AI solutions easily. Partnerships foster the creation of industry-specific AI solutions, and sustainability benefits arise from monitoring energy use and ensuring ethical sourcing in supply chains. Many cloud data centers operate on renewable energy, providing a greener alternative. To drive growth, companies should focus on AI initiatives like predictive maintenance and personalized marketing. A multi-cloud strategy allows them to leverage the best services while avoiding vendor lock-in. Investing in cloud data platforms ensures access to high-quality data, and collaboration across teams aligns AI projects with organizational goals. Creating a culture that embraces cloud-first and AI-first approaches is crucial.
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