Building AI for the Physical World

AI is transforming enterprises, but when it moves from dashboards into factories, grids, and warehouses, the stakes—and the risks—become very real. In this episode of Stay Cognizant, host Pamela Axtell (Senior Director, Global Brand Strategy and Marketing at Cognizant) sits down with Vijay Narayan (EVP and Business Unit Head, MLEU, Cognizant) to explore how context, human judgment, and system design are essential to scaling AI safely in the physical world.Vijay breaks down why “AI with brakes, not AI limitless” is critical when AI interacts with physical assets, from storm-impacted utilities to complex manufacturing lines. He shares how Cognizant engineers context-rich AI systems, orchestrating multi-agent frameworks and digital twins that allow humans and machines to share responsibility while mitigating risk. From shadow mode testing to cognitive data fabrics, Vijay explains the processes that turn AI pilots into enterprise-scale outcomes.Together, they discuss how leading organizations amplify their unique strengths, level off inefficiencies, and cultivate a culture of continuous learning to thrive in an AI-powered future. The conversation provides a grounded, human-centered perspective on what it takes to deploy AI with trust, predictability, and real-world value.🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and rate us!