India could be heading towards an extraordinary phase of economic expansion even as artificial intelligence, technology and regulatory changes transform
the way businesses and economies operate, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said. Speaking as the chief guest at the convocation ceremony of Sai University, Chandrasekaran told graduating students that they were beginning their professional lives at a time of rapid global transformation. While the pace of change may create uncertainty, he said it would also generate opportunities that are difficult to foresee at present. “You are stepping into a world which has a very changing global economic ,technological, disruptive, AI led revolutionary, regulatory and other changes that are constantly evolving,” he said. According to Chandrasekaran, the emergence of AI should not be viewed only through the lens of potential job displacement. He argued that technological advances could simultaneously lead to the creation of entirely new industries and career paths. AI May Create Industries That Do Not Exist Today Chandrasekaran acknowledged that concerns over AI replacing jobs are growing across industries. However, he said the technology could also expand the economic landscape by creating sectors that are currently difficult to imagine. "The world is full to the brim with possibilities," he said. He added that "five years from now there will be industries which don't exist today" and said people may not even have the terminology to describe some of these emerging sectors today. His comments underline the speed at which AI-led changes could reshape employment, business models and professional opportunities. For students entering the workforce, the ability to adapt could therefore become increasingly important. India Could See Decades Of Strong Growth Chandrasekaran also highlighted India's economic prospects, saying the country is in a "very strong position". He said India could witness economic growth that would be “unparalleled in our own history and unparalleled with any part of the world”. According to him, this expansion could continue for several decades. Against this backdrop, Chandrasekaran encouraged graduates to approach their careers with both long-term ambition and short-term objectives. He described this approach as "running dual races": maintaining focus on larger goals while pursuing smaller milestones that can provide momentum along the way. The Tata Sons chairman also stressed that professional preparation should be continuous. He urged students not to allow setbacks to derail their progress and suggested that individuals should assess themselves based on their own improvement instead of constantly comparing their achievements with those of others. "You have got to measure yourself on progress, continuous improvement, push yourself towards what you want to do," he said. Using marathon running as an example, Chandrasekaran also highlighted the importance of preparation. Quoting marathon runner Yuma Ikanga, he said "the will to win means nothing without the will to prepare." Six Qualities Students Should Develop Chandrasekaran outlined six qualities that he believes graduates should cultivate as they navigate a rapidly changing economy: continuous learning, curiosity, teamwork, creativity, self-reflection and ambitious goal-setting. He particularly stressed the need to keep learning as technology and professional requirements evolve. "Keep learning. If you are not keeping pace you will get outdated," he said. He also encouraged students to remain curious and collaborate with people who bring different skills and perspectives. Creativity, he said, would be particularly valuable in business. "Creativity in business is premium," he said, while also urging graduates to regularly examine their decisions, experiences and lessons. As his message to the graduating students, Chandrasekaran encouraged them to set ambitious goals and approach their careers with confidence. He urged the graduates to “aim high”, think big and remain bold and audacious as they begin their professional journeys.
