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AI isn't just a tool; it carries responsibility. As adoption grows, ethical use, transparency, and human oversight are essential for long-term trust.
Real-world impact needs real-world governance. From data storage to construction, AI is solving problems when backed by clean data and responsible frameworks.
July 16 is more than a celebration. It is a global reminder to pause, reflect, and act to ensure AI is used purposefully, fairly, and sustainably across all sectors.
Every July 16, the tech world takes a breather. This is done not to showcase innovation, but to reckon with it. AI Appreciation Day is not for fanfare. It is for facing the reality that Artificial Intelligence is changing how we lead, build, and stay accountable. This year, it is more than evident. AI is no longer a future story. It is driving decisions in hospitals, factories, supply chains, and cybersecurity. With that reach comes serious responsibility.
It wasn’t long ago that artificial intelligence felt experimental. Today, it’s the driving force behind how modern businesses run. Gal Naor, CEO of StorONE, points to one example: intelligent data tiering. This approach quietly sorts data by usage and shifts it automatically to the right storage level. There’s no spotlight, just practical results. Costs drop. Performance improves. And most users never even notice.
Meanwhile, in manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence is leaving the cloud and moving to the edge. Yoram Novick of Zadara describes how real-time decision-making, similar to how a self-driving car reacts instantly to its surroundings, is now happening in factories as well. Machines are adapting without waiting for instructions from a server farm located halfway across the globe.
Here’s the truth: while AI adoption is speeding ahead, the guardrails aren’t keeping up. A recent KPMG study found that half of U.S. employees use AI tools at work without any clear guidelines. Worse, fewer than half trust their organizations to manage that technology safely. That’s not just risky; it’s reckless.
As Carla Ramchand of Avanade Australia points out, returns on investments will only come if the foundation is solid: clean data, modern infrastructure, strong governance, and human oversight. Otherwise, you’re building a high-speed train on shaky tracks. That’s why responsible AI adoption is crucial today.
Oded Nagel of CTERA says it best: “Data is the fuel.” This fuel can either ignite brilliance or burn everything down. Responsible AI isn’t just about building clever tools. It also means knowing where your data comes from, who controls it, and how it is being used. And when something goes wrong, because at some point it will, it is about being ready to respond.
Security expert Jimmy Mesta of RAD Security points out that today’s cyber threats move too fast for human intervention alone. Artificial Intelligence has become essential for spotting anomalies before damage occurs. That is where companies like Index Engines see real value: AI-driven recovery that is fast, confident, and effective.
This isn’t just about writing another ethics pledge or ticking off a compliance box. As David Hunter of Local Falcon puts it bluntly, the real power of AI isn’t in producing content quickly. It’s in uncovering insights we might never have found on our own.
That kind of power needs guidance, not unchecked freedom. It calls for:
Clear transparency in how systems work and how decisions are made.
Human oversight, especially when lives, jobs, or rights are on the line.
Sustainable design, because energy-hungry models should not harm the planet.
A strong commitment to fairness, by identifying and correcting bias in data, algorithms, and decision processes.
Josh Mason of RecordPoint adds that without proper data governance, even the most advanced systems struggle to grow. The real challenge isn’t the technology itself. It’s how we choose to manage it.
Sharing his thoughts on the current scenario, Amit Luthra, Managing Director, Lenovo ISG India, explains, "AI Appreciation Day is a timely reminder that AI is no longer a futuristic concept - it’s a business-critical imperative today. Yet, many organizations are limited not by vision, but by the realities of their infrastructure and readiness. Lenovo’s CIO Playbook 2025 reveals that 63% of enterprises in India favor hybrid or on-premises environments for AI workloads, underscoring the urgent need for secure, scalable, and low-latency infrastructure. As AI advances, it is transforming how data is analyzed, decisions are made, and business outcomes are achieved. At Lenovo, we see the future in Hybrid AI - a secure, flexible, and distributed model that empowers AI to operate wherever it delivers the greatest impact: in the cloud, on-premises, or at the edge.”
He further adds, “India’s AI journey is still emerging, with 49% of organizations currently evaluating or planning adoption. This signals a meaningful shift from hype to tangible impact, as enterprises focus on building a strong foundation for sustainable growth. On this AI Appreciation Day, it is time for organizations to move beyond experiments and embrace AI as a core driver of growth, inclusion, and real-world value.”
Whether you’re a business leader, a developer, a student, or just someone curious, there’s a role for you in shaping how Artificial Intelligence is used:
Start conversations in your team or community about how AI is being used and whether it’s being used responsibly.
Push for explainability. Don’t settle for “because the model said so.” Demand clarity and accountability.
Support responsible innovation. Choose platforms, tools, and frameworks that prioritize ethics and energy efficiency.
Join the movement. Share stories, ask tough questions, and promote thoughtful use of technology that’s reshaping our world.
Meanwhile, Mayank Baid, Regional Vice President, India & South Asia, Cloudera, says, "On AI Appreciation Day, we honor the extraordinary advances in Artificial Intelligence and its power to redefine our world. Over the years, AI has become a key enabler of digital transformation. Our recent survey, titled ‘The Future of Enterprise AI Agents’, revealed that 84% of Indian respondents said they have implemented AI agents in the past two years, and 98% plan to expand their use in the coming years.
He further explains, “At Cloudera, we are committed to the rapid deployment of trusted AI by enabling organizations to integrate any AI model with secure and governed data across hybrid environments. By empowering Indian businesses to derive AI-driven insights securely while retaining full control over their infrastructure, we are supporting greater agility, compliance, and insight-driven innovation. This aligns seamlessly with Digital India’s goals and the nation’s digital upskilling efforts."
Also Read: How to Create a Portfolio That Stands Out for AI Jobs
AI Appreciation Day is not about tech. It is about the humans who design it, direct it, and are ultimately affected by the technology and the ethical AI practices. Mankind is not waiting for regulations to catch up. It is leading with responsibility, purpose, and care.
Appreciating technological advancements means ensuring they work for people, not as a replacement for them. This requires users, developers, and others who utilize Artificial Intelligence to acknowledge its role, what it has done for humanity, and what the technology will continue to do.
