That is where the TOI AI Quotient Awards 2026 bring an interesting perspective. Artificial intelligence is quickly becoming part of everyday business. Companies are using it to understand customers, improve operations, build products, analyse information and make faster decisions. But as AI becomes easier to access, another question is becoming more important: who is actually leading this change, and are they using AI responsibly? Rather than looking at AI only as a technology, the awards create a wider conversation around the people, businesses and leaders deciding how it should be used. The awards recognise organisations and individuals turning AI from an experiment into measurable results across industries.
Another interesting part of the 2026 edition is the AIQ Talks, which bring together leaders from very different fields. That is what makes the TOI AI Quotient Awards 2026 more than a celebration of technology. Nominations for the TOI AI Quotient Awards 2026 are open.
For years, discussions around artificial intelligence were largely centred on engineers, programmers and technology companies. That is changing. A powerful AI system means little if a company does not know where to use it, how to measure its results or how to ensure it is being used responsibly. The TOI AI Quotient Awards reflect this wider definition of leadership through their jury. The panel includes technology pioneers, policymakers, investors, digital transformation experts and AI specialists. Among them are Harish S. Mehta, Neeraj K. Gupta, Amit Khanna, Anant Vidur Puri, Sridhar CV, Mayank, and Ankit Bose. Their different professional backgrounds underline an important point: AI leadership cannot be judged through technology alone. A company may introduce an AI chatbot, an automated system, or a predictive model. But simply using AI does not automatically mean the business has transformed. The more important questions are the following: Did it save time? Did it improve customer experience? Did it help employees? Did it reduce costs? Did it make decision-making better? The awards’ categories reflect this broader approach. They include areas such as AI in healthcare, retail, BFSI, manufacturing, media, customer experience, marketing, operations, product innovation, risk and compliance, and HR. There are also categories for AI-native businesses, startups, responsible AI, social impact, and women in AI leadership. This means AI is increasingly being viewed as a business tool with real-world consequences, rather than simply an impressive piece of technology. The speaker lineup includes Amitabh Kant, Vishal Talwar, Balaji Thiagarajan, Srinivas Mohan, Manu Lavanya, Sudhir Singh, Rahul Garg, and Soumya Kanti Ghosh. Their areas of experience range from public policy and education to insurance, technology, manufacturing, entertainment and economics. Their presence shows just how widely AI is spreading. It is no longer something that belongs only to technology companies. It is becoming part of how governments plan, businesses operate, schools teach, insurers serve customers and creative industries tell stories. The biggest shift may be that AI leadership is no longer about being the first person to adopt a new tool. It is about knowing when to use it, where it can create value, and where human judgment must remain central. That idea is also reflected in the philosophy behind the awards, which positions AI as a way to enhance human potential rather than simply replace people. As AI becomes more common, the advantage may not belong to the organisation using the most AI. It may belong to the one using it most thoughtfully and effectively. At their core, they offer a look at a changing definition of leadership, one where innovation, responsibility, business value, and human judgment increasingly have to work together. Submit your nomination here: https://toievents.indiatimes.com/ai-quotient-awards Looking for trusted parenting advice? Follow TOI Parenting Circle on Instagram for expert guidance, relatable stories, and practical tips delivered every day.
Today, an effective AI leader also needs to understand people, business, ethics, investment and long-term strategy. And perhaps that is the more important AI story unfolding today: the future will not only be shaped by smarter machines but also by the people who decide what those machines should do.