Investments in Gen AI & metaverse paying off, quantum computing in experimental stage: GlobalLogic's Jha

Digital product engineering firm GlobalLogic has been expanding its capabilities and investing heavily in emerging technologies like generative artificial intelligence (AI), quantum computing, and the metaverse. After its 2021 acquisition by Hitachi, the company has focused on digital transformation solutions.  

In an interview with TechCircle, Piyush Jha, Managing Director for India & APAC, discussed the launch of its new offerings, and shared insights on the future of generative AI, expansion into smaller cities, and its efforts to address infrastructure and talent challenges while prioritising sustainability. Edited Excerpts:  
 
Last year you mentioned a 20% revenue growth target and a strong focus on generative AI investments. How has that played out for the company? 

We made a strategic decision to develop a large-scale generative AI platform, which we called the "Platform of Platforms." This homegrown solution is designed to work seamlessly with all three hyperscalers and serve a wide range of our customers. 

Much of our development is now in the market, and we are actively leveraging the Platform of Platforms. Building on this foundation, we introduced the Velocity AI Workbench this year — a powerful framework designed to assist developers across all stages of the software lifecycle. 

From requirement engineering and architecture to development, quality assurance, and deployment, this workbench enhances productivity by 20–25% across the board. It has been a significant and strategic step forward for us. 

Two months ago, we launched Velocity AI Workbench, and today, we are using generative AI in nearly 78–79 projects for our customers in India alone. Our early investment in generative AI is now paying off, allowing us to bring customers to market faster and drive widespread adoption of this transformative technology. Looking back, it has proven to be a wise and impactful investment. 
 
Given the popularity of generative AI for over two years, where do you think the industry is headed? 

Generative AI has come a long way. Our first generative AI product went into production nearly three and a half years ago, back in August 2021 well before ChatGPT made its mark on the world. 
Today, generative AI is on the path to becoming as ubiquitous as web browsers were nearly 30 years ago when Netscape revolutionised the internet. It’s no longer confined to research labs; it’s now on developers' machines and integrated into real-world applications. 

We’re already seeing its impact. Just as every company became a software company over time, soon, every software product will be powered or enhanced by generative AI. That shift is already underway, and it’s shaping an exciting future. 
 
You mentioned your company is investing in technologies like quantum computing and the metaverse. How are these investments shaping your services and client engagements? 
We need more computing power and efficiency, especially for the backend of many of our products. That’s where quantum computing comes in, it’s an ongoing area of research that will make the generative AI journey smoother. 

We started our quantum research last year and have been actively working on proof-of-concept exercises. Meanwhile, in the metaverse space, we’ve launched several initiatives. For instance, virtual training has become much more seamless you can now conduct mechanical tools training entirely in a virtual environment. Tasks that were once difficult, like opening up machine parts to inspect their inner workings, are now easily done in the metaverse. 

Recently, we worked on a metaverse project for the nuclear industry. This allows users to explore a virtual nuclear power plant, assess safety conditions, and interact with the environment in ways that would be too risky in the real world. Another example is our metaverse implementation for a Japanese retailer where we enhanced their customer engagement and sales experience using virtual technology. 

As we explore the future, both generative AI and the metaverse are becoming central to our work, and our investments in these areas are already paying off. 

As for quantum computing, it’s still in the experimental stage, but as generative AI continues to evolve, the demand for quantum computing power will grow. The work we’re doing now in quantum research will be instrumental in meeting those future needs.

How is GlobalLogic positioning itself to meet the evolving needs of clients in the digital transformation space? 

We've been driving digital transformation for over 12 years now, working closely with companies across various industries retail, healthcare, education technology, consumer markets, and media. Over the past decade, we've led numerous disruptive digital transformation initiatives. 

Today, digital transformation has become fundamental, seamlessly integrating into applications across industries. For example, an outdated retail app can now be completely rebuilt with modern features, ensuring smooth user engagement while migrating old data effortlessly. In education technology, learning has become increasingly personalised and interactive. Instead of passive lectures or book-based learning, today's educational ecosystem is dynamic and tailored to individual students. 

In the OTT industry, digital transformation has revolutionised content consumption. If you compare 2021 to today, the evolution is staggering—content is at our fingertips, TVs predict our preferences, and even shopping happens directly from our screens. Similarly, the digital payment industry has overtaken physical transactions. I rarely carry a wallet anymore, and I can’t recall the last time I withdrew cash from an ATM. 

Even at airports, digital transformation is streamlining experiences. In India, advanced DDR3 systems can get travelers through airport security in just 15 minutes with minimal documentation.

Ultimately, the entire industry is focused on making life easier, and having been at the forefront of this transformation for over a decade, we understand exactly how to do it better. That’s precisely what we continue to do today. 
 
How do you think the government’s tech-focused budget will impact the growth of GCC in India? And how will it affect infrastructure development and talent availability in regional cities, especially with your company’s focus on them? 

The budget strongly emphasises GCCs, highlighting the government's commitment to fostering a more vibrant and welcoming environment for them and the IT industry in India. Over the past three years, we have built a highly successful partnership with GCCs. 

GlobalLogic’s business with Global Capability Centers has grown by 115% in the last two years, with an impressive annualised growth of around 54-55%. Given the vast opportunities still available, we expect this momentum to continue into the next year. The government's support for GCCs and the broader IT ecosystem will further facilitate this growth. 

Our expansion into tier-two and tier-three cities aligns well with the government’s vision of empowering the middle class by tapping into local talent. 
 
In December 2024, you mentioned plans to hire 500-700 employees in each tier two and tier three center. How has this initiative progressed, and what impact has it had on GlobalLogic's operations? 

Our focus is on expanding into more tier-two and tier-three cities. Currently, we operate in 10 cities across India, up from six or seven a few years ago. Over the past year, we’ve launched new offices and expanded our presence in several locations, including Nagpur, Ahmedabad, and Kochi. We've also entered Mehboob Nagar and are actively growing there. 

The goal is to bring opportunities closer to the talent rather than expecting talent to relocate. This approach is resonating well we’re seeing higher engagement, lower attrition, and greater value from these centers. 

That said, we don’t want to rush into 20 cities overnight. We aim to create a strong, scalable experience, with teams of 400 to 600 people in each location. A solid foundation allows teams to collaborate, celebrate, and thrive together. 

Our strategy remains the same: scale these centers to 500-700 employees before expanding into new cities. We’re making good progress, channeling most of our growth into smaller cities wherever possible. While some expansion will still take place in Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Noida, our priority is to drive growth in emerging cities and stimulate demand there and so far, it’s working well. 
 
How is GlobalLogic addressing challenges related to infrastructure and talent development in new cities? 

The challenge we face is that in the cities where we are trying to expand, there is plenty of junior talent, but a shortage of experienced senior professionals. There are many colleges in these areas, so fresh graduates are available in large numbers, typically with up to 4-7 years of experience. However, finding specialised senior talent with over 12-15 years of experience is much more difficult. 

This gap is critical because all our programs require senior mentorship to guide teams effectively. To address this, we are encouraging employees who are originally from these areas—or those open to relocating—to work there for a few years. This approach has been beneficial and is helping us scale faster. 

Additionally, we are establishing industry-academia programs by collaborating with engineering colleges in these cities. Through partnerships in students’ fifth and sixth semesters, we introduce them to GlobalLogic, helping them gain industry exposure while adding value to their education. 
 
What key tech trends do you expect this year, and how is your company preparing to leverage them? 

In the past few years, we’ve focused on developing exciting new technologies. However, the coming year will be about institutionalising these innovations and integrating them into common program infrastructure. 

By 2025 and possibly 2026, we can expect widespread adoption of generative AI in everyday products, leading to predictable productivity gains across various fields. It will revolutionise the way we work, accelerating software development through increased automation. 

We’ll see human talent working alongside AI-driven bots that handle automatable tasks, allowing people to take on more strategic, creative, and domain-specific roles instead of simply executing repetitive processes. 

Additionally, interactive applications will become more prevalent, making digital experiences more engaging. Generative AI, the metaverse, and quantum computing will become deeply embedded in our daily lives. These technologies will no longer feel separate from us they’ll work alongside us, guiding and enhancing how we operate. 
 
Given the high computational power needed for automation, where do you see sustainability fitting in? 

When a new technology emerges from scientific labs and experimental stages, the first few years are often unsustainable. These technologies typically require significant computing power, place heavy demands on infrastructure, and are not environmentally friendly. Generative AI is no exception. 

Initially, the models that came out of research labs were not as sustainable as they should have been. However, this is a common pattern—especially when a technology is highly effective and quickly adopted. Now, the focus is shifting toward optimising generative AI for sustainability. Researchers and tech professionals are exploring ways to reduce computational requirements while maintaining performance. 

Alongside cybersecurity and security concerns, sustainability has become a top priority in the field of generative AI. For instance, our company has developed a module called Code Greenify, which scans code and optimises it for efficiency, making it more environmentally friendly. 

This shift toward sustainability is happening rapidly. While concerns about generative AI’s environmental impact exist today, they are already being addressed. As adoption increases, the technology is evolving to become more sustainable. Although its rapid deployment initially disrupted the usual course of technological evolution, efforts to improve its long-term viability are catching up just as quickly.

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