Wipro CTO Sees 2026 as Turning Point for Enterprise AI

Wipro’s Chief Technology Officer, Sandhya Arun, believes that 2026 will mark a decisive shift in how enterprises use technology, particularly artificial intelligence. According to her, organisations will move beyond fragmented experimentation with AI and begin deploying fully integrated, enterprise-wide AI ecosystems that are deeply embedded into core business operations. Rather than functioning as standalone tools, AI systems will increasingly operate as interconnected networks capable of managing complex workflows across multiple functions, including IT operations, finance, human resources, supply chains, and customer engagement.

Key Highlights

• Enterprises shift from AI pilots to integrated, agentic, enterprise-wide AI ecosystems by 2026.
• Workforce reskilling and domain-specific AI models become critical for business agility and productivity.

Arun emphasises the rise of agentic AI, where autonomous AI agents collaborate with each other to perform tasks, make recommendations, and execute decisions, while humans focus on governance, oversight, and strategic direction. This transition is expected to significantly improve productivity, speed of execution, and business agility. She also highlights the growing role of embodied AI, particularly in robotics and smart devices, which will allow physical systems to perceive, learn, and act more intelligently in real-world environments.

Also Read: Wipro Strengthens Middle East Presence with New Regional Headquarters in Riyadh

Another key trend is the evolution of digital twins, enhanced by AI, enabling organisations to simulate real-world scenarios, optimise processes, and predict outcomes with greater accuracy. Arun notes that enterprises will increasingly adopt domain-specific AI models tailored to the unique requirements of industries such as manufacturing, healthcare, finance, and retail, rather than relying solely on generic large language models. Additionally, she points to quantum computing advancements as an emerging area that enterprises should begin preparing for, even if widespread adoption is still some distance away.

Finally, Arun stresses that technology adoption must be accompanied by workforce transformation, with companies investing in reskilling and upskilling employees to ensure they can effectively work alongside advanced AI systems.