As AI reshapes global industries, enterprises are racing to adopt agentic AI, automation, and ERP modernization to stay competitive and future-ready. In this exclusive interaction, Balakrishna D.R. (Bali), EVP, Global Services Head-AI and Industry Verticals, Infosys dives deep into how agentic AI is driving enterprise transformation far beyond automation. He also discusses how Infosys is building a future-ready AI-first ecosystem- from AI-powered ERP to low-code platforms and governance frameworks.
With over three decades of experience, Bali is responsible for new service offerings, solutions, platforms, and partnerships. He also drives the adoption of AI and automation in all service offerings and internal functions within Infosys to improve efficiency and drive differentiation.
Infosys is championing AI-powered ERP across functions from finance to supply chain. What measurable shifts in deployment speed or ROI are you seeing compared to traditional ERP rollouts?
Infosys is transforming ERP deployments by embedding AI across functions like finance and supply chain, enabling faster, more agile rollouts compared to traditional ERP projects. Our AI-powered suite accelerates SAP S/4HANA Cloud transformations by automating complex tasks such as code migration and invoice processing, reducing manual effort and errors. This results in streamlined implementations with enhanced accuracy in demand forecasting and improved operational efficiency. Infosys’s approach minimizes customization overhead and accelerates value realization, making ERP modernization more adaptive and cost-effective. By leveraging AI-driven automation and intelligent insights, Infosys helps enterprises achieve smoother, more responsive ERP transformations that align closely with evolving business needs.
You recently spoke about AI-enhanced low-code platforms. How is Infosys integrating agentic AI into these platforms to enable true autonomous execution rather than just assisted development?
Infosys is deeply integrating agentic AI into its low-code platforms via the Infosys Agentic AI Foundry (part of Infosys Topaz). The goal is true autonomous execution, moving beyond mere assistance. The primary aim is autonomous Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) execution. Infosys is building AI agents capable of independently analyzing requirements, generating designs, writing and transforming code, and even automating testing and bug fixes. Key to this is embedding internal quality frameworks and compliance guidelines directly into the agents' operations using platforms like Infosys iLEAD and Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers, ensuring robust, maintainable code. While pushing for autonomy, human oversight remains crucial at critical junctures. This approach accelerates development and enhances operational efficiency, driving genuine AI-driven autonomy in software creation.
As enterprises race toward AI-first models, what’s the most overlooked barrier, whether in tech, culture, or governance, that could derail meaningful transformation?
The most overlooked barrier in AI-first transformation is inadequate governance frameworks, compounded by fragmented legacy systems that complicate technology integration. While legacy systems pose challenges in unifying AI with existing infrastructure, the critical hurdle lies in establishing robust AI governance. Clear policies on data privacy, model transparency, and regulatory compliance are essential to prevent ethical lapses and legal risks. Many organizations struggle to embed accountability, real-time monitoring, and ethical standards into agile AI workflows. Without strong, transparent governance structures, even well-integrated AI initiatives risk derailment. Addressing both governance and technology integration holistically is vital for scalable, responsible, and successful AI transformation.
In a world flooded with AI tools, how should enterprises differentiate between truly transformative agentic AI and just another layer of automation?
Enterprises should recognize transformative agentic AI by its ability to autonomously understand context, make complex decisions, and drive continuous improvement with minimal human intervention. Infosys exemplifies this through its Agentic AI Foundry, where AI agents independently analyze requirements, generate designs, write and transform code, and automate testing all while embedding internal quality and compliance frameworks. These agents dynamically prioritize goals, adapt to evolving conditions, and orchestrate end-to-end workflows, moving far beyond traditional rule-based automation. This true autonomy accelerates development, enhances operational efficiency, and unlocks strategic agility, positioning agentic AI as a fundamental catalyst for next-generation enterprise transformation rather than just another automation layer.