Intel India’s MD at Masters’ Union on Guiding How to Lead Businesses with AI Evolution

The future of business education lies in learning directly from those who are rewriting the rules of the industry. Masters’ Union hosted Santhosh Viswanathan, the Managing Director of Intel India, for a candid discussion on how artificial intelligence, ethics, and evolving talent needs are reshaping the modern workplace.

With over three decades of experience across biotech, FMCG, and media, he explored what it takes to stay relevant in an era where algorithms can outperform experience and adaptability defines success. The session offered a grounded view of how leaders and students alike can navigate transformation, not by resisting technology, but by learning to lead it.

AI in Business: Understanding the Real Impact

The conversation began with a sharp distinction between hype and application. Artificial intelligence isn’t a distant concept anymore; it’s reshaping every layer of the business model.

From LLMs that can draft scripts in minutes to automation reshaping creative workflows, AI is prompting companies to rethink value chains, job roles, and livelihoods. Yet, as Viswanathan pointed out, some developments are mere fads, while others will leave a lasting mark.

How companies can prepare for AI integration:

1. Embed AI into core processes, not as a parallel experiment

2. Upskill teams to understand LLMs and prompt engineering

3. Balance automation with human oversight and ethics

4. Use pilots to measure genuine productivity impact before scale
   
   

How Learning & Unlearning Technology by Leaders is Impacting Businesses

When asked what makes a great leader today, his response was both simple and revealing: excellence in skill, inspirational leadership, futuristic thinking, and a hint of maverick spirit.

He described exceptional leaders as those who dare to imagine the impossible, people who can picture 2050 and begin preparing today. The skill to anticipate, experiment, and adapt early is what sets visionary leaders apart from competent managers.

Key leadership traits for a changing world:

1. Deep understanding of the business model, not just function

2. Agility to roll up sleeves and work close to the consumer

3. Balance between realism and imagination, what he called maverism

4. Resilience to survive market cycles and stay grounded
   
   

Building Employer Value in a Transparent World

Students asked what attracts talent today. His answer: authenticity. In an age where Glassdoor reviews and LinkedIn chatter shape perception, brand image is no longer controlled by the organisation; it’s built by employees. He emphasised that employer value now lies in purpose and youth connection. “Even a hundred-year-old company must feel young,” he noted, citing Sony’s global rebrand to appeal to younger audiences.

Modern employer branding essentials:

1. Define a clear purpose beyond profit

2. Build authenticity through employee advocacy

3. Engage youth audiences with relevant, forward-looking narratives

4. Keep ethical and sustainable practices visible and verifiable
   
   

Adaptability and Super-Specialisation in Careers

Shifting across industries, from biotech to fintech to FMCG, he credited his journey to curiosity and business acumen. He emphasised that knowing your consumer is essential: being out of touch with them makes success impossible.

In the AI era, adaptability now means super-specialization. Mid-level managers must evolve from coordinators to doers, mastering deep skills that add tangible value.

For students entering the workforce:

1. Cultivate a deep skill that defines your professional identity

2. Learn the fundamentals of business models, not just job roles

3. Treat curiosity as currency; explore industries before committing

4. Balance learning breadth early with expertise depth later
   
   

AI Ethics, Deepfakes, and the Future of Work

The discussion turned to ethics, a pressing issue in technology today. He spoke about deepfake misuse in media and the urgent need for boundaries. From bans on AI-generated likenesses in California to internal policies in Indian media, the conversation highlighted the thin line between innovation and exploitation.

His message was clear: technology’s ethics are as vital as its efficiency. For the next generation of leaders, understanding where to draw that line will define both trust and sustainability.

Ethical guardrails for responsible innovation:

1. Establish transparent policies for AI content creation

2. Protect personal likeness and data through regulation

3. Use technology to enhance creativity, not replace humanity
   
   

From Volatility to Vision: What Remains Constant

Across industries, he observed that the fundamentals of leadership don’t change: performance, agility, and empathy remain constant. What shifts is the context. Stable sectors value experience and depth; fast-moving industries reward speed and experimentation.

His advice to students was straightforward but powerful: stick around long enough to witness the full cycle, true leadership comes from navigating both the peaks and the valleys.

The world of work is shifting faster than any syllabus can keep up. But as this conversation showed, the fundamentals endure: purpose, learning, and adaptability. AI may reshape jobs, but human judgement, empathy, and resilience remain irreplaceable.

At Masters’ Union, these sessions aim to prepare students not just for today’s workplace but for tomorrow’s possibilities, where technology and leadership move hand in hand.