Narayana Murthy calls out India’s overhyped AI claims

In no uncertain terms, Infosys founder N.R. Narayana Murthy called out the growing trend of labeling ordinary software as artificial intelligence (AI) in India’s technology sector.

Speaking at the TiE Con 205 in Mumbai, Murthy said that many companies are presenting conventional programs as AI without actually incorporating the fundamental principles of the technology.

“I think somehow it has become a fashion in India to talk of AI for everything. I have seen several normal ordinary programs touted as AI,” he said.

Murthy explained that true AI is based on two core principles: machine learning and deep learning.

The septuagenarian described machine learning as a process involving large-scale correlation that uses vast data to make predictions.

“That is simple machine learning. The second is what is called deep learning. Deep learning imitates how the human brain works,” he added.

He went on to elaborate that while machine learning basically deals with supervised algorithms, requiring significant input data, deep learning operates with unsupervised algorithms. This allows deep learning systems to use data to create new branches of programs or conditions, thus finally making independent decisions.

“So unsupervised data, which uses deep learning and neural networks, has much greater potential to do things that mimic human behavior better. But what I am seeing being called AI is silly, old programs,” he remarked, putting forth the distinction between genuine AI and what is currently being marketed as such.

Meanwhile, Infosys has been developing AI models tailored for specific industry needs. The company has focused on small language models (SLMs), using open-source components and proprietary datasets. Infosys plans to create functional and industry-specific applications in the generative AI (Gen AI) space.