India to anchor our next tech wave in Agentic AI, robotics and quantum: Capgemini's Srivastava

 As artificial intelligence, cloud-native architectures and automation move from pilots to full-scale deployment, global technology majors are rethinking their research, delivery and talent strategies. For Capgemini, India is emerging as the core of this shift—powering engineering, AI innovation, sustainability platforms and next-generation digital operations. In an interview with TechCircle, Nisheeth Srivastava, Chief Technology and Innovation Officer – India, Capgemini, outlines how India is stepping into a front-line role across the company’s global transformation agenda. Edited excerpts.

How will India’s role in Capgemini’s global R&D and delivery strategy evolve, especially in engineering, AI and cloud innovation?

India continues to be pivotal to Capgemini’s global R&D and delivery strategy due to its strong academic ecosystem, technology labs, deep engineering talent and advanced delivery capabilities. The country has become a hub for innovation across IT, engineering, data/AI, design and cloud. Capgemini is investing significantly in building an AI-ready workforce through AI Centres of Excellence (CoEs) and AI Futures Labs in India. These teams are developing next-generation AI technologies and delivering trusted, domain-rich AI solutions via platforms such as the Resonance AI Framework and RAISE (Reliable AI Solution Engineering). A strong example of India’s innovation leadership is INDRA, the humanoid robot developed at the Applied Innovation Exchange (AIE) in Mumbai, which showcases hybrid AI, automation and human–machine collaboration. As AI expands, cloud capabilities become even more foundational. India is driving innovation in cloud-native architectures, multi-cloud strategies and scalable industry solutions—positioning the country at the heart of Capgemini’s Intelligent Enterprise strategy.

What opportunities does Capgemini see in India’s AI market, as adoption grows across industries and India strengthens its position as a global talent and innovation hub?

India’s digital-native environment, strong public digital infrastructure and large skilled talent base are enabling rapid AI-driven transformation across BFSI, manufacturing, retail, telecom and public-sector domains. The growth of Global Capability Centres (GCCs)—many belonging to Capgemini’s global clients—signals rising demand for advanced AI engineering and enterprise transformation capabilities. Capgemini is focused on embedding responsible AI at the core of its deployments, ensuring that fairness, transparency, human oversight and sustainability guide all AI adoption. The company is also investing in AI-ready curricula across Indian educational institutions, strengthening the country’s role as a global export hub for digital talent and innovation.

How is Capgemini preparing India teams to lead in generative AI, automation and responsible AI governance?

Capgemini has built a sizable generative AI and agentic AI talent pool in India through role-based learning programs across technology, business and innovation functions. The company has invested in startups such as Liquid AI, which is developing adaptable, lean foundation models that support sustainability-driven decision-making. It has also partnered with Mistral AI to build capabilities around high-performance open-weight models, while strengthening engineering and consulting partnerships with hyperscalers. Our Indian teams actively use Capgemini’s internal AI engineering platforms—especially RAISE—to build, deploy and monitor enterprise-grade AI assistants and agents with embedded guardrails, ethical checks and security controls. The company’s AI Code of Ethics and updated guidelines on generative and agentic AI reinforce principles of transparency, accountability, data protection and bias mitigation. Combined with deep domain knowledge, upskilling initiatives and strong platform capabilities, Capgemini is positioning its India teams to lead global AI transformation.

With Indian enterprises accelerating digital transformation, how is Capgemini supporting the shift from cloud migration to cloud-native innovation?

Indian enterprises are moving from simple cloud migration to cloud-native architectures that enable agility, resilience and new business models. Capgemini is supporting this transition by combining industry expertise with cloud engineering, consulting, ecosystem partnerships and automation. Its Adaptive Cloud Operations (ACO) framework enables intelligent, automated operations across hybrid and multi-cloud environments, reducing technical debt and speeding modernisation. Partnerships with AWS, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud drive industry-specific solutions—from SAP migrations to AI-powered analytics.
Capgemini’s recent acquisition of Cloud4C enhances its ability to deliver hyper-automated, AI-driven cloud operations, SAP RISE migrations and sovereign cloud solutions—particularly critical for regulated sectors such as financial services and healthcare. Beyond infrastructure modernisation, Capgemini is also helping clients reimagine business models through cloud-native platforms that support data monetisation, intelligent operations and sustainability initiatives.

How are AI, digital twins and advanced analytics helping enterprises achieve sustainability goals, and what role is India playing?

Capgemini India is at the forefront of enabling sustainable transformation for clients by using AI, digital twins and advanced analytics to balance growth with environmental responsibility. Its AI-driven ESG platforms—particularly the Sustainable AI toolkit—automate carbon accounting, enhance transparency and deliver predictive insights aligned with compliance and net-zero commitments. The RAISE framework also ensures efficient and low-carbon deployment of AI at scale. Digital twins built by Indian teams simulate factories, energy grids, supply chains and public environments to reduce waste, optimise energy use and improve safety. Through the AIE and Sustainability CoE, Capgemini co-creates energy-efficient architectures, circular economy models and green IT solutions with clients and partners. These efforts support Capgemini’s global goal of helping clients reduce 10 million tons of CO₂ by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.

How is Capgemini re-skilling India talent as AI reshapes the future of work?

Capgemini views AI as a tool for augmentation rather than replacement. The company has trained over 150,000 employees in GenAI tools through its Gen AI Campus and is scaling training in agentic AI. Its Resonance AI Framework supports “human-AI chemistry,” helping hybrid teams of people and AI agents collaborate effectively. Capgemini is embedding AI tools across software engineering, testing, and HR and legal functions so employees can shift toward more creative and strategic work. Robust change-management programs ensure teams are prepared for AI-driven transformation.

Beyond AI and cloud, which emerging technologies will drive Capgemini’s next phase of growth—and how central is India to that mandate?

Capgemini’s next growth phase will be defined by the convergence of agentic AI, robotics, small language models, edge computing, engineering biology, quantum computing and multi-agent systems. These intersections—AI with robotics, digital with biological systems, and computation with physics—will shape the next wave of automation, resilience and scientific innovation.     India will remain central to this vision, supported by its engineering depth, digital talent scale, delivery maturity and strong culture of innovation. Through its AIEs, future-tech labs and sustainability initiatives, Capgemini India will continue to lead global co-creation and large-scale transformation programs.