AI an accelerator not a threat: Anand Mahindra

Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra in his New Year address to the Group’s employees said that Artificial Intelligence (AI) must be treated as an accelerator and not as a threat as it would raise blue collar work to a new level of long-term relevance.

“As AI reshapes industries, many fear disruption. I respectfully disagree. I believe AI is an accelerator not a threat. As intelligent systems take over routine tasks, practical skills, accelerated by AI, will become premium assets, offering income, dignity and raising blue collar work to a new level of long‑term relevance,” he stated. 

“AI will bring about a fundamental shift in the value of “hands on” skills: a technician who can work confidently alongside AI, a machinist who understands digital tools, and a craftsperson whose intuition is enhanced by data will change the world of shop floor work,” he said.

“We will rediscover the value of people who can build, craft, repair and operate the real machinery of life. When technology amplifies skilled hands, those hands can become as rewarding, if not more rewarding, than traditional white‑collar work. AI can turn blue collar into gold,” he emphasised. 

He said the Group would strengthen the talent pipeline that the world needs – from the Mahindra Tractors Skill Development Centres to Tech Mahindra’s future-ready talent academies.

Highlighting Mahindra’s market leadership across businesses he said the Mahindra’s SUV business led the market with record share, reaffirming the company’s ability to anticipate what customers genuinely desire. He said the farm equipment business achieved its highest ever quarterly market share, proving that innovation on the ground transforms lives. 

Stating that the electric three-wheelers business continued to dominate a highly competitive space, he said Tech Mahindra sharpened its edge in AI and operational excellence, delivering its eighth consecutive quarter of margin expansion, while Mahindra Finance scaled new heights, combining robust profit growth with industry-leading asset quality. 

Mahindra Lifespaces continued its momentum in sustainable real estate with record Gross Development Value additions and industry-first Net Zero projects and Mahindra Holidays conceptualized Mahindra Signature Resorts, marking a bold shift toward experiential travel, he said. 

And Mahindra Susten continued to power India’s green transition, reinforcing its leadership in renewable energy innovation, he added.

“These achievements are not just milestones – they are launchpads. They tell the story of a Group firing on all cylinders, united by purpose and powered by audacity,” he emphasized.

“For decades, Mahindra was seen as a homegrown brand known for rugged dependability. Today, we are perceived as modern, confident, and future-ready. EVs did not just change our portfolio. They changed the conversation. They signalled that Mahindra is mastering frontier technologies and shaping the future of mobility,” he pointed out. 

He said the world may be unpredictable, with technology evolving and geopolitics shifting but “uncertainty is not our enemy, it is our proving ground.” 

“Equipped with sharper capabilities, deeper skills and an unwavering commitment to nurturing world-class talent, we will not just navigate the storm, we will chart new courses for growth. The future belongs to those who build it. Let us build it together,” he concluded.