Tech Mahindra Chairman Anand G Mahindra has said that artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly moving from being a peripheral productivity tool to becoming central to how enterprises operate, make decisions and serve customers, while stressing that the real challenge lies in deploying AI reliably, securely and responsibly at scale.
In his message to shareholders in Tech Mahindra’s Annual Report 2026, Mahindra noted that most enterprises continue to grapple with legacy technology architectures, fragmented data, regulatory complexities and accumulated technical debt, making AI adoption far more challenging than simply deploying advanced models.
“AI is no longer a productivity tool at the edge of the enterprise. It is moving rapidly towards the centre of how businesses design work, serve customers, manage risk and make decisions,” he said.
Enterprises’ ability is key
According to Mahindra, the next phase of AI adoption will be shaped not only by powerful foundation models but also by enterprises’ ability to transform their own knowledge, data and operational processes into AI-enabled institutional capabilities that they can govern and own.
He said the enterprise of the future would be built on human judgment augmented by AI capabilities rather than a workforce that is entirely human or entirely AI-driven.
To support this vision, Tech Mahindra has launched Project Helix, an AI-native transformation programme designed to combine human expertise with AI agents through what the company calls “Vector Squads”.
These teams integrate domain expertise, engineering capabilities, governance frameworks and responsible AI practices to develop AI systems tailored to each client’s enterprise environment, ensuring secure and governed deployment aligned with business outcomes.
Calls for sovereign AI
Mahindra also highlighted the growing strategic importance of AI amid evolving global geopolitical and regulatory developments.
He said AI has become more than a commercial technology and is increasingly influenced by issues such as trust, regulation, national interest and technological sovereignty.
“For a country of India’s scale and aspiration, Sovereign AI is not optional,” he said, adding that India must emerge not only as a consumer of AI technologies but also as a creator, developer and trusted deployer of intelligence solutions.
He said sovereign AI does not imply technological isolation but requires the capability to develop, adapt and govern critical AI systems that reflect India’s languages, industries, citizens and strategic priorities, while retaining meaningful control over data, models and infrastructure.
FY27 outlook remains strong
Tech Mahindra Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Mohit Joshi said the company remains on track to deliver its commitments and is confident of achieving its 15% operating margin target while growing faster than its top-tier peers.
“Two years of disciplined execution, a reshaped portfolio, and a shift to higher-value services gives me immense confidence that we are entering the most exciting phase of TechM’s journey,” Joshi said.
He added that the company refreshed its brand during FY26, aligning its future vision with its legacy while reinforcing its commitment to helping clients scale through AI-led innovation and operational precision.
Joshi said Tech Mahindra’s new culture framework, ‘Limitless Together’, reflects the company’s belief that collective purpose, collaboration and innovation can unlock greater opportunities for employees and customers alike