When a handful of CEOs and business leaders gather around a virtual table, the insights they share can echo across entire industries. CNBC recently pulled together the voices of more than 30 CEOs and senior executives from a wide range of sectors. Their concerns were not isolated to one niche; instead, they reflected a shared anxiety about the future of business in a world that is becoming faster, more connected, and more unpredictable.
For Indian readers, these worries translate into concrete challenges: rising production costs, the need to re‑think revenue models, and the imperative to stay ahead of technology that can both drive growth and pose risks. This post unpacks the key themes that emerged from the interview, offers real‑world examples, and points to practical steps that leaders across India can adopt.
The Gulf of Oman has long been a critical artery for global trade. When 2,000 vessels find themselves stranded there, the ripple effect touches industries from raw materials to finished products. Captain Rajalingam Subramaniam, chief executive of Fleet Management Limited, explained how this congestion can push costs higher for everyone.
“More than 2,000 vessels in the Persian Gulf are stuck, and nearly between 20,000 to 30,000 mariners are affected,” said Captain Subramaniam. “When shipping is disrupted, the cost goes up.”
In India, the garment sector is a major export earner. A delay in raw material shipments means higher freight charges, tighter timelines, and sometimes the need to source more expensive alternatives. The price hike can trickle down to consumers, affecting retail margins and consumer confidence.
Artificial intelligence has become a buzzword, but for the CEOs interviewed, it is far more than hype. It can cut costs, open new markets, and protect against cyber threats—yet it also threatens to erode traditional product advantages and expose companies to novel vulnerabilities.
“Product is becoming less of a moat,” said Magnus Grimeland, founder and CEO of Antler, a global early‑stage venture firm. “We are grappling with AI as a cost saver, growth driver, cybersecurity risk, and an existential threat to our business models.”
In India, AI is already reshaping sectors such as banking, healthcare, and e‑commerce. Banks are using machine learning to detect fraud faster; hospitals are employing predictive analytics for patient care; online retailers are optimizing logistics with AI algorithms. Yet the same technology can also be weaponised. A single data breach or a faulty algorithm can cause cascading failures.
Many executives highlighted the need for robust cyber‑defence mechanisms. AI can help detect anomalies, but it also expands the attack surface. Companies must balance automation with human oversight, and adopt layered security approaches that combine AI detection with traditional threat intelligence.
The Software‑as‑a‑Service (SaaS) model has dominated the tech landscape for years. Traditional pricing is often based on the number of users—or “seats.” However, the trend is shifting toward outcome‑based pricing, where customers pay for the results they achieve rather than the number of licenses.
“Software as a Service companies may increasingly have to charge by outcome rather than on a per‑user basis, or ‘seats,’” said Daisy Cai, general partner at B Capital, a tech investment firm. “Traditional SaaS is based on a per‑seat model, but with agents, software is no longer charged by seats.”
For Indian SaaS providers, this shift means re‑thinking revenue streams. A company that once relied on a flat fee per user will need to develop clear value metrics—such as revenue generated, time saved, or error rates reduced—and tie those metrics to pricing tiers. The move also encourages deeper customer relationships and continuous product improvement.
Amid the uncertainties, there is a bright side: the shift to renewable energy. One executive highlighted a milestone that could reshape the energy landscape.
“We added enough renewable energy in 2025 to take care of 100% of all new electricity demand,” the CEO said.
India’s renewable targets are ambitious, aiming for 450 gigawatts of renewable capacity by 2030. The transition is not only a climate imperative but also a cost‑saving one. Solar and wind projects are becoming cheaper, and the grid’s resilience improves as power sources diversify. For businesses, this means lower energy costs, reduced dependence on fossil fuels, and a stronger brand image among sustainability‑conscious consumers.
These concerns are not unique to the CEOs interviewed; they reflect broader market dynamics that Indian companies are already feeling. By understanding the root of each worry—shipping costs, AI risks, pricing models, and energy sources—leaders can craft strategies that not only mitigate threats but also unlock new opportunities. The conversation with 30 CEOs offers a roadmap: adapt, innovate, and keep the pulse on the forces shaping the future.
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