Davos, Jan 19 (PTI) - The CEO of SandboxAQ, Jack Hidary, delivered a stark warning at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting. He stated that individuals, corporations, and governments must embrace artificial intelligence or face extinction. Hidary believes India is positioning itself correctly on this critical path.
India's AI Potential for Global Scaling
Hidary emphasized that artificial intelligence offers tremendous potential for Indian companies. It could help them scale up to global levels effectively. SandboxAQ, originally a moonshot unit within Google's Alphabet Inc, became an independent company in 2022. Its investors include notable figures like former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff.
The company's name comes from the concept of a sandbox, a safe testing environment. Here, experiments can occur without real-world damage. As a B2B enterprise, SandboxAQ now focuses on solutions that merge AI and quantum technologies. These solutions assist corporations and governments in various fields.
'AI or Die' Thesis Explained
During his conversation with PTI, Hidary detailed his 'AI or Die' thesis. This is also the title of his upcoming book. The core message is simple yet urgent. Companies that adopt AI will grow, while those that ignore it will perish.
Hidary described the current era as a major inflection point across all industries. He stressed that AI is not merely a nice addition but essential for business survival. The technology offers both significant benefits and new vulnerabilities that must be addressed.
Transforming Key Sectors in India
Hidary provided concrete examples of AI's impact. In healthcare, AI enables faster drug discovery for diseases like cancer and Alzheimer's. This contrasts sharply with traditional timelines that can span 15 years or more.
He highlighted the energy sector, where AI-powered catalysts can convert oil and gas into new energy products. Companies utilizing these technologies will thrive in the coming years.
Discussing education, Hidary pointed to India's population of 1.4 billion people. He warned that without embracing AI, the country may not thrive globally. The need for AI integration in education is paramount.
Cybersecurity as a National Priority
The World Economic Forum identified cyber insecurity as India's biggest immediate risk. Hidary agreed, calling cybersecurity fundamental to national security at both federal and state levels. Indian states, he noted, are larger than many countries.
Critical infrastructure targets include banking, telecom, and public utilities. Indian tech giants like Infosys, Wipro, and TCS hold vast amounts of customer data. Their global footprint demands immediate cybersecurity implementation. Governments face similar urgent needs.
Shifting from IP Consumer to Creator
Hidary expressed a desire to promote the intellectual properties of Indian companies. He cited examples like Dr Reddy's, which develops new medicines. However, many Indian firms merely manufacture drugs whose IP resides elsewhere.
There is potential for a paradigm shift to create intellectual property within India itself. SandboxAQ's software enables AI-driven molecular design. This technology could transform India from an IP consumer to an IP creator.
Focus on the Real World Economy
Hidary listed the life sciences sector as a key target for transformation. He acknowledged fantastic AI tools for creating digital content like documents and videos. But SandboxAQ focuses on AI for the real world, based on physics, mathematics, and chemistry.
This approach leads to new medicines, materials, and catalysts. Hidary noted that 80 percent of India's economy exists in the physical world. This includes railroads, energy, telecom, and infrastructure. SandboxAQ's AI solutions directly impact this majority sector.
"We want to help bring that transformation by working with both the industry and the governments," Hidary concluded. His vision aims to harness AI's power for substantial economic and societal advancement in India.
