There is a price to be paid to be the first.
DataQuest|April 2024
Srikanth Velamakanni, Co-founder and Group CEO, Fractal Analytics, and winner of the Dataquest Path-breaker of the Year award for 2024, looks back and analyses the dots that led the company from data to AI, from analysis to predictions and from plain AI to Gen AI. Excerpts from a chat with Editor Sunil Rajguru.
Pratima H
There is a price to be paid to be the first.

SRIKANTH VELAMAKANNI
Co-founder and Group CEO, Fractal Analytics

As a company that is over 20 years old, it seems like a long journey- especially how the country has gone from the smartphone revolution to the pandemic. Can you share your story from the inception till today?

We started in 2000, during the peak of the Dotcom bubble. The initial idea was not even about being an AI firm but about helping consumers make better decisions on what they buy. Then we took a pivot of helping companies make better decisions. We knew we were good at human behavior, Maths and Psychology. All that came together to help companies. Initially, we did not know, how to make money with this model. But we were the first-of-its-kind analytics company in the world. There is a price to be paid to be ahead of the curve. But we had some very good clients which gave us interesting problems-like automated credit lending. We built the first statistical scorecard for ICICI for credit choices in India. It was revolutionary at that time. Then we helped Unilever to handle the 2008 recession- we used the science of data to carve the right offers for customers as per what data told us - on what would resonate well with customers. We cut our teeth into these areas with these customers. Soon analytics became more and more interesting. The idea, throughout, was - can we predict, and can these predictions help companies with decisions?

What led to the move to Al?

Bu hikaye DataQuest dergisinin April 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye DataQuest dergisinin April 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

DATAQUEST DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
How big is India's Computer Accessories Market? Innovations expected by FY25
DataQuest

How big is India's Computer Accessories Market? Innovations expected by FY25

India’s computer accessories sector grows with Make in India, Digital India, and rising demand for high-tech accessories like AIl-powered devices, boosting exports globally.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 2024
When Network Threats Are Not Allowed to Check-in
DataQuest

When Network Threats Are Not Allowed to Check-in

Like elevators, networks in this hotel are segregated for guests, for service, and locked for outsiders unless they prove bona fide. Does this approach work?

time-read
4 dak  |
November 2024
Robotic Surgeries can turn into double-edged Swords
DataQuest

Robotic Surgeries can turn into double-edged Swords

Technology should never come at the cost of affordability, privacy, training ease, the ability to practice anywhere, CRM’s real use and sensitivity to patient experience. Surjeet Thakur, CIO Rajagiri Hospital, Kochi gives us an X-ray from different angles.

time-read
5 dak  |
November 2024
Does Santa Claus watch when you pay rent on time?
DataQuest

Does Santa Claus watch when you pay rent on time?

If yes, what kind of diary does he use to distinguish good kids from delinquent ones? And what stockings can you hang to translate this good behaviour into rewards home loan discounts, prop-tech speed, landlord KYC or more?

time-read
6 dak  |
November 2024
Roadmap for Bank-based Apps to Gain UPI Market Share A missed opportunity!
DataQuest

Roadmap for Bank-based Apps to Gain UPI Market Share A missed opportunity!

As UPI dominates, will banks step up to reclaim their market? UPI continues its meteoric rise, handling 69.6% of India's digital transactions and reaching ₹20.6 lakh crore across 14.8 billion transactions in August 2024 alone.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 2024
The Future of Machine Identity
DataQuest

The Future of Machine Identity

The biggest challenge today in the digital security sphere is securing machine identities -the digital entities such as APIs, software applications, and IoT devicesthat are constantly being targeted due to the changing nature of cyber threats.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 2024
Redefining AI Application Delivery
DataQuest

Redefining AI Application Delivery

In this discussion with F5’s Ahmed Guetari and Adam Judd, we explore the collaboration between F5 and NVIDIA, which leverages the innovative capabilities of NVIDIA's BlueField-3 DPUs and F5’s BIG-IP Next platform. This partnership is set to redefine AI application delivery and security, particularly in the high-growth Indian market, by enabling better resource allocation, faster data processing, and robust security enhancements. With AI adoption surging across industries, F5 and NVIDIA's synergy brings transformative solutions for service providers and enterprises, poised to drive India’s AI-led innovation.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 2024
EPAM's Bold Leap: Transforming Business with Al-Driven Salesforce Solutions.
DataQuest

EPAM's Bold Leap: Transforming Business with Al-Driven Salesforce Solutions.

Siba Padhy, Head of Salesforce Business, EPAM Systems highlights how Salesforce has evolved from a core sales solution to a comprehensive platform that encompasses service, marketing, and commerce, with a significant emphasis on leveraging AI technologies, particularly the newly launched Agentforce and Einstein GPT. Padhy discusses the burgeoning agent tech economy in India and EPAM's strategic focus on delivering tailored solutions that address specific market needs. With ambitious growth targets, EPAM aims to double its Salesforce expertise in the coming years, positioning itself as a key player in driving digital transformation across various industries.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 2024
The Smart Manufacturing Revolution in India
DataQuest

The Smart Manufacturing Revolution in India

Explore how cutting-edge technologies are redefining manufacturing in India, shaping a future where efficiency and sustainability go hand in hand.

time-read
5 dak  |
November 2024
Digital Governance: Changing that Red Carpet into a Green One
DataQuest

Digital Governance: Changing that Red Carpet into a Green One

India's approach and success stories in digital governance show how technology should be used to cover the entire carpet area - From expanding inclusion to the digitally not-so-savvy folks to strengthening interoperability - we have made sure the grass is green, every side

time-read
10+ dak  |
November 2024