AI Adoption Becomes Critical for Survival, Says SandboxAQ CEO
Jack Hidary, the CEO of SandboxAQ, delivered a stark warning at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. He stated that embracing artificial intelligence is now a matter of survival for individuals, companies, and governments. Hidary believes India is moving in the right direction with its AI approach.
"Embrace AI or Die" - A Central Thesis
"It's time to embrace AI or die," Hidary told PTI during the meeting. He outlined his core argument clearly. Companies that adopt artificial intelligence will grow and thrive. Those that ignore this technological shift will fade away and disappear.
This powerful phrase also serves as the title of his forthcoming book. The book aims to emphasize the urgent need for AI adoption beyond simple content-generation tools.
SandboxAQ's Origins and Focus
SandboxAQ began as a research group within Alphabet Inc, Google's parent company, back in 2016. The group focused on artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. It spun off as an independent company in 2022.
The company boasts impressive investors. These include former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, who now chairs SandboxAQ. Other investors are Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, T Rowe Price, and several additional backers.
Hidary described the current moment as a major inflection point across all industries. He stated that AI is no longer a "nice to have" technology. It has become existential for business survival.
"The companies that embrace AI will grow and those that don't will die," he reiterated firmly.
Real-World Applications and Sector Impact
SandboxAQ operates as a business-to-business firm. It focuses on enterprise solutions combining AI and quantum technologies. The company helps corporations and governments in critical areas.
These areas include:
- Drug discovery
- Materials science
- Navigation systems
- Cybersecurity solutions
Hidary provided specific sector examples. AI-enabled tools can dramatically shorten drug discovery timelines. Diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's traditionally take 15 years or more to develop treatments. AI could compress this timeline significantly.
In the energy sector, companies deploying AI-powered catalysts will gain a competitive edge. These catalysts help convert oil and gas into new energy products more efficiently.
India's Crucial Role and Challenges
Discussing India's education sector, Hidary emphasized its global importance. "India is very important here, having the largest population in the world of 1.4 billion people," he noted. He warned that without embracing AI, India might not thrive globally.
On cybersecurity, Hidary addressed concerns highlighted by the World Economic Forum. WEF identified cybersecurity as the biggest immediate risk for India. Hidary called cybersecurity fundamental to national security at both federal and state levels.
"There can be critical infrastructure targets like banking, telecom and public utilities," he explained through PTI.
He also flagged risks facing major Indian technology companies. Firms like Infosys, Wipro, and TCS handle vast amounts of global customer data. "They have a global footprint that requires immediate cybersecurity implementation," Hidary stressed. He added that governments face the same urgency.
AI Solutions for AI Risks
Hidary acknowledged that AI creates new vulnerabilities and risks. However, he argued that advanced AI solutions also provide the key to addressing these AI-driven threats. SandboxAQ's solutions are already in use worldwide by banks, companies, and governments, including in the United States.
Highlighting India's economic structure, Hidary pointed out a significant fact. Nearly 80 percent of India's economy operates in the physical world. This includes railways, energy, telecom, and infrastructure. These are areas directly impacted by SandboxAQ's AI applications.
Building Intellectual Property in India
Hidary identified a key objective for SandboxAQ in India. The company aims to help Indian companies build intellectual property domestically. He cited the pharmaceutical sector as an example. While firms like Dr Reddy's develop new medicines, many Indian companies primarily manufacture drugs based on IP developed elsewhere.
"There is a potential for a paradigm shift to create intellectual property within India itself," Hidary stated optimistically. He explained that SandboxAQ's AI-driven molecular design tools could help transform India from an IP consumer into an IP creator.
Focus on the Real World
While acknowledging the rise of AI tools for digital content, Hidary clarified SandboxAQ's distinct focus. The company concentrates on AI for the real world. "We focus on physics, mathematics, chemistry, new medicines, new materials and new catalysts," he detailed.
"When you look at 80 percent of the economy in India, it's fundamentally in the real world, not the digital world. And that's the area that SandboxAQ impacts," Hidary concluded. He said the company aims to drive transformation by working closely with both industry and governments.
