The AI Today Summit 2026 has commenced, featuring discussions among industry leaders about various aspects of artificial intelligence. Vishal Sikka, the founder and CEO of Vianai Systems, emphasized the significant productivity boost AI can provide to individuals. He illustrated this point with an example of a colleague who rebuilt a complex system in just 14 days, a task that originally took a team of 15 engineers nine months to complete. This illustrates how, when properly utilized, AI can drastically reduce the time required for complex projects.

However, Sikka challenged the concept of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), arguing against the belief that AI could think and operate like humans. He described this notion as absurd, highlighting that while AI can enhance productivity and efficiency, it does not equate to human cognitive abilities. His perspective reflects a cautionary stance on the overzealous expectations surrounding AI capabilities, suggesting that while AI can significantly assist in tasks, it remains distinct from human thought processes.

Sikka's insights are particularly relevant considering his background as the former head of Infosys, where significant investments were made in AI technologies like OpenAI over a decade ago. His comments resonate within ongoing debates about the future role of AI in society and the potential limitations of its capabilities, prompting a balanced view of the technology's evolving landscape.