As artificial intelligence redraws the circuitry of enterprise, even the shape of the corporate pyramid begins to bend.
From Disruption to Reinvention
LTIMindtree Chief Delivery Officer Gururaj Deshpande believes the AI wave is unlike previous technology shifts in both speed and scale. In an interaction with Ojasvi Gupta, he noted that while every tech cycle has disrupted IT services, AI’s cycle time is dramatically shorter—what once unfolded over years now happens in months.
According to Deshpande, AI is not merely another technological layer but a force reshaping how work itself is performed. Its impact spans software development, IT operations and even consulting workflows, fundamentally altering execution models.
Yet the challenge lies in scaling AI beyond pilot projects. While greenfield environments allow rapid acceleration, most enterprises operate in complex brownfield settings marked by legacy systems, siloed data and entrenched processes. The issue is not whether AI can deliver efficiency—it can—but how to ensure enterprise-wide consistency, reliability and scalability. That shift demands rethinking operating models rather than simply deploying new tools.
On differentiation, LTIMindtree is not focused on building foundational AI models. Instead, it aims to simplify adoption for clients overwhelmed by a proliferation of tools and platforms. The firm positions itself as an orchestrator—bringing integration, governance and interoperability to an otherwise fragmented ecosystem.
The Rise of the Diamond Workforce
Deshpande predicts the traditional IT workforce pyramid will transform into a diamond-like structure. Entry-level roles are expected to shrink as AI absorbs repetitive tasks. Simultaneously, demand will rise for professionals who combine technological depth with domain expertise.
The middle layer—comprising skilled specialists—will expand, while leadership tiers remain lean. This marks a shift from volume-based hiring to capability-driven talent strategies.
He frames this transition as the emergence of a “bionic workforce,” where humans and digital workers collaborate. AI, he argues, will not eliminate employment but redefine it. Routine functions may recede, giving way to roles centred on orchestration, complex problem-solving and applied domain knowledge. Crucially, talent assessment will move beyond degrees and tenure toward demonstrable skills and continuous learning.
In the age of algorithms, the future workforce will not stand in tiers—but shine at its core like a cut diamond.
Summary
LTIMindtree’s Gururaj Deshpande says AI is reshaping IT services faster than past tech waves, demanding enterprise-wide operating model changes. He predicts the traditional workforce pyramid will evolve into a diamond shape, with fewer entry-level roles and expanded mid-level expertise. AI will redefine, not replace, jobs—ushering in a “bionic workforce” focused on skills, integration and continuous learning.
