Sridhar Vembu revolutionises how global businesses approach artificial intelligence. The co-founder of Zoho Corporation shares bold insights that challenge conventional AI adoption strategies.
“Vembu said he uses AI tools in two to three sessions daily and considers himself a moderate to heavy user. “AI is a perfect debating partner to have, and we can use it to debate each other, too. I often take the output of one AI and ask another AI to critique it and that deepens my understanding,’ Vembu said in an interview.”
This iterative approach offers unique business advantages. AI helps accelerate learning and streamline decision-making processes across enterprise operations.
Why Business Leaders Choose AI Over Search Engines
Traditional web searches become obsolete for informed executives. “AI helps me learn faster. It is a much better search engine in that sense. My web search has gone down by 80% as a direct result,’ Vembu said.”
This shift reflects broader changes in user behaviour worldwide. Increasingly, professionals are turning to AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT, instead of Google Search for information retrieval. Vembu highlights how Elon Musk-owned x AI’s Grok chatbot integration on X demonstrates that AI can significantly enhance the product experience.
The productivity gains reach beyond simple searches. AI tools help businesses optimise operations through deep learning, rather than relying on basic data retrieval.
Strategic Risks Business Leaders Must Consider
Vembu warns against over-reliance on AI systems. While technology offers substantial benefits, misuse can reverse expected productivity gains entirely.
“AI can help customer support agents do their work faster, but it is unwise to let AI replace human agents. It is also unwise for a human to copy and paste AI text and send it to a customer, hiding the fact that it came from AI,” he states.
Programmers face specific challenges with AI-generated code. “If any programmer submits AI-generated code without doing all this, they are failing at their job,” Vembu asserts. Code requires full compliance, privacy and security reviews – tasks that are neither easy nor enjoyable for humans.
These rigorous checks may destroy much of the perceived productivity gains. In some cases, AI may even slow down development processes.
What Global Enterprises Can Learn From Zoho’s Approach
Zoho’s balanced AI strategy offers a model for worldwide businesses. The company treats AI as a supplementary force, not a replacement for human oversight.
“We continue to run a lot of experiments, and I will revise my opinion if and when facts change on the ground,” Vembu shares. This adaptability encourages businesses to tailor AI implementation to specific organisational needs.
The approach resonates across industries globally. Companies worldwide are reconsidering their operations following Vembu’s advocacy for measured AI adoption.
“Zoho emphasises human oversight in AI use and does not rely on tools like ChatGPT or Gemini to generate customer-facing content without review.” Human verification remains essential for maintaining the integrity of communication.
Strategic Advantage for Modern Business Operations
Savvy executives embrace AI judiciously to unlock competitive advantages. They safeguard human roles to ensure sustained operational efficiency across global markets.
Vembu’s insights illustrate how technology leaders strike a balance between innovation and responsibility. “Vembu has spoken about his daily AI usage, including relying on multiple apps, which shows practical implementation without compromising standards.”
Businesses can accelerate learning and enhance product experiences while maintaining regulatory compliance. The key lies in treating AI as a powerful ally rather than a complete solution.
Zoho’s approach advances enterprise capabilities without sacrificing operational standards. Business leaders worldwide can emulate this judicious strategy, ensuring AI serves as an empowering partner in the evolving corporate landscape.
