From Concrete to Compute

How SN Subrahmanyan Is Shaping L&T's AI Future For more than eight decades, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been synonymous with India's physical infrastructure, delivering metro systems, airports, power plants and some of the country's most complex engineering projects. Under L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan, however, the company's definition of infrastructure is expanding. Increasingly, it includes artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data centres and sovereign digital infrastructure the...

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How SN Subrahmanyan Is Shaping L&T's AI Future For more than eight decades, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has been synonymous with India's physical infrastructure, delivering metro systems, airports, power plants and some of the country's most complex engineering projects. Under L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan, however, the company's definition of infrastructure is expanding. Increasingly, it includes artificial intelligence, cloud computing, data centres and sovereign digital infrastructure the building blocks of India's next phase of economic growth. That shift came into sharp focus at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, where SN Subrahmanyan joined NVIDIA founder Jensen Huang to unveil a strategic collaboration aimed at accelerating AI infrastructure in India. The announcement reflected more than a technology partnership; it signalled L&T's ambition to evolve from a builder of physical assets into an enabler of the country's AI-powered future. An Engineer's Perspective on AI Unlike many business leaders who entered the AI conversation as the technology gained mainstream attention, SN Subrahmanyan approaches it through the lens of an engineer. A civil engineering graduate, he joined L&T in 1984 as a project planning engineer and spent four decades leading some of the company's largest infrastructure businesses across India and the Middle East, including projects such as the Riyadh Metro, Doha Metro and Salalah Airport. After serving as Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director from 2017, he became Chairman and Managing Director in 2023. That experience continues to shape his leadership philosophy. Rather than viewing AI as a standalone technology trend, Subrahmanyan sees it as an extension of engineering one that can improve planning, design, execution and operations at scale. During L&T's FY2024 Annual General Meeting, he described generative AI as a "game changer" and outlined how the company was embedding it across the project lifecycle to improve productivity and decision-making. Why L&T Is Investing in AI Infrastructure For L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan, AI is not only about adopting intelligent software; it is about building the infrastructure that makes large-scale AI deployment possible. Through its collaboration with NVIDIA, L&T plans to develop one of India's largest proposed AI infrastructure ecosystems. The first phase includes expanding GPU capacity at its Chennai campus to approximately 30 megawatts while developing a 40-megawatt AI-ready data centre in Mumbai. The infrastructure is intended to support hyperscalers, enterprises, research institutions and government organisations building AI applications across manufacturing, healthcare, financial services, energy and the public sector. The initiative aligns with Lakshya 2031, L&T's long-term growth strategy, which identifies digital infrastructure, cloud services and artificial intelligence as key growth engines. Alongside expanding AI-ready data centres, the company has strengthened its technology portfolio through investments such as its strategic stake in E2E Networks while leveraging businesses including LTIMindtree and L&T Technology Services to create an integrated digital ecosystem. As governments worldwide race to build sovereign AI capabilities, companies that control compute infrastructure rather than just software are expected to occupy a strategic position in the AI value chain. L&T's investment signals that India's AI ambitions extend beyond developing models to building the physical and digital infrastructure required to run them at scale. Building India's AI Backbone Subrahmanyan has consistently argued that AI requires more than algorithms it requires infrastructure. As enterprises move from experimentation to production-scale AI, access to secure compute, cloud platforms and data infrastructure is becoming as critical as traditional industrial assets. This philosophy reflects a broader global trend. Countries are increasingly investing in sovereign AI capabilities to reduce dependence on overseas infrastructure and strengthen digital resilience. L&T's strategy positions the company to participate in this transformation by combining its expertise in large-scale infrastructure delivery with emerging AI technologies. For an engineering company known for constructing roads, ports and industrial facilities, building digital infrastructure is a natural evolution rather than a departure from its core strengths. Leadership Beyond Technology Despite leading one of India's most significant AI infrastructure initiatives, SN Subrahmanyan has consistently maintained that technology alone cannot drive transformation. In L&T's FY2025 Annual Report, he emphasised that while AI is accelerating innovation, long-term value will continue to depend on human judgment, responsible deployment and disciplined execution. That balanced perspective reflects the leadership approach that has defined his career. Rather than pursuing technology for its own sake, he has focused on integrating new capabilities into L&T's long-standing engineering excellence and execution discipline. From Concrete to Compute As industries become increasingly digital, infrastructure itself is being redefined. The assets powering future economies will include not only highways, airports and power plants, but also AI factories, cloud platforms, GPU clusters and data centres. Under SN Subrahmanyan's leadership, L&T is positioning itself at the intersection of these two worlds. The company's strategy is not about replacing concrete with compute; it is about recognising that tomorrow's infrastructure will combine both. If that vision succeeds, L&T Chairman SN Subrahmanyan may be remembered not only for leading one of India's largest engineering companies but also for helping build the digital foundations of the country's AI economy.

Why Women Are Better Investors Than Men

Kaustubh Kale
Mar 9, 2025
2 min read

Updated: Mar 10, 2025

As the world celebrated International Women's Day, discussions centered around women's achievements in various fields—business, leadership, science, and beyond. But one area where women consistently outperform men, yet receive little recognition, is investing.

Despite money management often being seen as a male-dominated field, women have quietly and consistently proven to be better investors than men. With patience, discipline, and a long-term mindset, women naturally possess qualities that make them superior money managers.

A Perfect Blend of Knowledge and Wealth

In Hindu mythology, Goddess Saraswati symbolizes knowledge, while Goddess Lakshmi represents wealth—two essential pillars of investing. The ability to manage wealth wisely stems from a deep understanding of financial principles, and this is where women excel. They take the time to learn, analyze, and make informed investment decisions rather than rushing into trends or speculation.

Why Women Make Better Investors

Several traits make women stand out as investors:

Patience and Long-Term Vision: Unlike men, who may be more prone to impulsive trading and get-rich-quick schemes, women tend to have a longer term mindset. Their ability to stay calm, especially during market fluctuations, leads to better returns over time.

Disciplined and Goal-Based: Women prioritize consistent savings and goal-based investing. This disciplined approach helps them build wealth steadily. Women naturally excel at budgeting, planning, and structuring investments to align with future goals, whether it’s children’s education, home buying, or retirement security. Their emotional connection with goals is what makes them stick to discipline.

Risk-Aware, Not Risk-Averse: Contrary to the stereotype, women are not afraid of risks—they are just more calculated about them, through appropriate asset allocation. Eventually, this approach ensures maximum returns with minimal risks.

Trust and Willingness to Learn: Women value education and expertise, making them more likely to seek guidance from a well-qualified financial advisor. Unlike men, who often overestimate their investing abilities, women approach financial decisions with a willingness to learn. Once they find a trusted expert, they follow sound advice instead of making emotional, short-term moves.

Women Leading the Financial World

These qualities are why many of the world’s leading financial institutions are now led by women. In India and abroad, we see prominent banks, asset management companies, and investment firms thriving under female leadership. Their ability to combine strategic thinking with emotional intelligence makes them exceptional at managing money—both at a personal and professional level.

Final Thoughts

With their trust in expert advice and a strong focus on financial education, more women should embrace their strengths and take control of their financial futures!