The Real Impact of AI on Jobs & Future of Work ft Ravi Venkatesan, Ex-Chairman of Microsoft, India on The India Opportunity Show
Bill Gates signed a note for Ravi that says ,'I was WRONG!'
Hello everyone, welcome to The India Opportunity Show where you get a front-row seat to people building India’s future. We talk about unlocking the potential of the country with founders, investors, creators, and successful leaders from different fields to bring you real-life stories and behind-the-scenes of what it takes to be at the forefront of building the India Story.
Episode 6, Season 3 of The India Opportunity Show is out now! You can watch it on YouTube or listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.
My guest today is Ravi Venkatesan— one of India’s most respected business leaders and thinkers, whose career spans boardrooms, philanthropy, and nation-building. Ravi was the Chairman of Microsoft India, where he helped lay the groundwork for India’s cloud and digital transformation. He’s also served on the boards of Infosys, Hitachi, and Rockefeller Foundation, and today advises global giants while championing social impact through his non-profit, GAME (Global Alliance for Mass Entrepreneurship) and GEAPP (Global Energy Alliance for People & Planet).
What makes Ravi truly stand out is his unique ability to bridge worlds: corporate leadership and grassroots impact, global boardrooms and India’s entrepreneurial hustle. He’s someone who has argued with Bill Gates and walked away with a handwritten note from Gates saying, ‘I was wrong.’ He’s also someone who, at the height of his corporate career, asked himself the deeper question: what does success really mean beyond titles and money?
In this conversation, we’ll dive into Ravi’s extraordinary journey, his frameworks for leadership, his perspective on AI and the future of work, and why he believes India is on the cusp of a once-in-a-generation opportunity. Hope you enjoy watching!
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
03:06 Global Energy Alliance impact report overview
06:09 Decision to leave Microsoft and career shift
09:26 Bill Gates handwritten note story
11:50 OpenAI and Microsoft partnership insights
13:02 Navigating disruption and company culture
17:05 AI's impact on jobs and future preparation
23:26 Mindset for entrepreneurship and AI era
29:21 Career advice: global opportunities and risks
34:33 AI value chain and India's potential
39:21 Tech company disruption and ecosystem challenges
44:37 Advice for Indian founders and sectors to watch
47:37 Boardroom dynamics and AI leadership
54:12 Wartime leadership in entrepreneurship and CEOs
56:28 Fostering dissent and leadership skills
58:18 Early leadership story at Cummins factory
1:01:37 Passion for social entrepreneurship initiatives
1:06:07 Measuring impact in social programs
1:10:30 Stories of entrepreneurs transformed by support
1:13:03 Global Energy Alliance's energy access mission
1:15:23 Energy projects and innovations in India
1:18:43 Importance of mindset in leadership and growth
1:20:31 Self-belief and overcoming limiting mindsets
1:21:49 Personal childhood challenges and healing
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Disclaimer: The content presented in this podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.