Indian firms follow IBM as AI‑driven GCCs grow, creating assisted professionals
Indian firms seem to be copying IBM’s playbook for AI-driven global capability centers, and you can feel the buzz in the corridors. The tech itself looks slick, but the bigger change is how companies are stacking talent: small, tight groups of data scientists, engineers and domain experts sitting together. That set-up promises faster product cycles and tighter links with business units, think banks, pharma labs, even retail chains.
It isn’t just about speed, though; it’s also reshaping jobs. A new breed of “assisted professionals” is popping up, people who use algorithms to boost, not replace, their own judgment. You’ll find them in everything from a pharmacy’s R&D team to a retailer’s supply-chain office, blurring the line between pure tech and core industry know-how.
As more Indian companies throw AI resources at the problem, the real question is whether the extra heads actually turn into a measurable edge. Kapil Joshi, CEO of Quess IT Staffing, summed it up for AIM when he said, “High-density AI teams give us faster go-to-market, superior user e…”
The approach also extends to complex functions where AI intersects with domain expertise, creating a new class of "assisted professionals" across banking, pharma, retail, and more. Kapil Joshi, CEO at Quess IT Staffing told AIM that "High-density AI teams give us faster go-to-market, superior user experiences, and significantly higher productivity and scalability." Simply put, the organisations that concentrate AI talent move faster, innovate better, and win more, he added. The EY India GCC Pulse Survey 2025 that AIM accessed revealed that India-based GCCs are moving from experimentation to enterprise-scale adoption of AI, with 58% currently investing in Agentic AI and 83% in GenAI.
These AI-first GCC mandates are popping up fast, yet it’s hard to tell if they’re living up to the hype. Over 60 % of the 2024 mandates now include a digital-and-AI charter, which seems to shift the focus from plain service work to more strategic value. Indian firms are copying IBM’s playbook, stacking up dense AI squads; Kapil Joshi of Quess IT Staffing says that helps them launch faster and give users a smoother experience.
Still, we don’t know how traditional roles will change - “assisted professionals” are appearing in banking, pharma and retail, suggesting a hybrid crew, but whether that mix beats the old setup is still up in the air. The push to turn data into omnichannel personalization could also stretch teams, especially when deep domain knowledge has to mesh with AI output. In reality, companies will have to juggle speed with solid governance, a trade-off the article leaves open.
The numbers point to an expanding AI agenda, but the real payoff for clients and staff remains to be proven.
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Common Questions Answered
How are Indian firms replicating IBM's AI‑driven global capability center (GCC) model?
Indian companies are building high‑density AI squads that combine data scientists, engineers, and domain experts, mirroring IBM's approach. This structure aims to accelerate product cycles, integrate tightly with business units, and deliver faster go‑to‑market solutions across sectors such as banking and pharma.
What does Kapil Joshi of Quess IT Staffing mean by “assisted professionals” in the context of AI‑first GCCs?
Joshi describes “assisted professionals” as workers who blend domain expertise with AI tools, enabling them to perform complex tasks more efficiently. These hybrid roles emerge from dense AI teams that enhance productivity, user experience, and scalability across industries like retail and drug manufacturing.
What proportion of new 2024 GCC mandates include a digital and AI charter, and why is this significant?
Over 60 % of new 2024 GCC mandates now carry a digital and AI charter, indicating a strategic shift from pure service delivery to value‑creation through AI. This trend underscores the growing importance of AI talent concentration for faster innovation and competitive advantage.
According to the article, what are the claimed benefits of high‑density AI teams for Indian firms?
High‑density AI teams are said to deliver faster go‑to‑market timelines, superior user experiences, and significantly higher productivity and scalability. By concentrating AI talent, firms can innovate more rapidly, integrate AI with business functions, and potentially outpace competitors.