In a recent panel discussion at the TIME100 Impact Dinner in San Francisco, leaders in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) discussed the transformative impact of AI on the business world. The panel, moderated by TIME’s executive editor Nikhil Kumar, featured Ravi Kumar S, CEO of Cognizant, Athina Kanioura, chief strategy and transformation officer at PepsiCo, and Jared Kaplan, co-founder and chief science officer at Anthropic. Both Ravi Kumar and Kaplan were named on the 2025 TIME100 AI list, recognizing the most influential people in AI this year across various sectors.
During the discussion, the panelists highlighted the broader impact of AI on businesses beyond just the technology companies behind it. Kanioura shared insights into the role of AI at PepsiCo, where the company has implemented an AI strategy to automate manual tasks and enhance the sales process for businesses stocking PepsiCo products. She emphasized that PepsiCo has trained all 320,000 employees in AI with the goal of improving their lives through technology rather than cutting jobs.
Cognizant’s Kumar addressed the implications of AI on jobs and the workforce. He discussed how Cognizant helps other companies navigate the changes and transformations brought about by AI, emphasizing the importance of upskilling and reskilling employees to adapt to the evolving technology landscape. The panelists also touched on the need for thoughtful regulation of AI to ensure responsible and ethical use of the technology.
The panel discussion shed light on the ways in which AI is reshaping businesses and industries, from automating tasks to enhancing innovation in sales processes. The speakers emphasized the importance of leveraging AI to empower employees and drive positive change within organizations. As AI continues to evolve and expand its influence, businesses must adapt and embrace new technologies to stay competitive in the rapidly changing landscape.
Overall, the panel discussion at the TIME100 Impact Dinner highlighted the transformative potential of AI in the business world and the need for organizations to embrace innovation and upskill their workforce to thrive in the era of artificial intelligence. By leveraging AI responsibly and ethically, businesses can harness the power of technology to drive growth, efficiency, and positive impact across industries.
