Kumar Mangalam Birla on Why Businesses Must Think Twice Before Rushing Into AI

As businesses pour money into artificial intelligence, the focus is shifting from winning the AI arms race to generating tangible returns on investment. At the 2026 Bloomberg New Economy Forum, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, discusses how companies are reassessing their AI strategies, balancing investment with productivity gains and resisting the fear of missing out. He explains why AI adoption needs to be tailored to individual businesses, from improving customer interactions and manufacturing efficiency to strengthening financial performance. Birla also highlights the importance of understanding the return on AI investments before scaling up, drawing parallels with the group's earlier use of blockchain to improve traceability in its fibre business. As the AI boom gathers pace, the key question is whether the technology can deliver measurable business value.