AI Impact Forum launches to examine the business stakes of AI

Newsweek is launching 'AI Impact Forum', a discussion series led by Dr. Ranjit Tinaikar that will bring executives, investors and operators together to examine how AI can be scaled into measurable business results; the inaugural session on March 26 will focus on the IT services industry.

Newsweek is launching "AI Impact Forum", a new discussion series that will examine how companies can turn AI's promise into measurable business results. The series is led by Dr. Ranjit Tinaikar, former CEO of Ness Digital Engineering. It will bring together senior executives, investors and operators to discuss how AI is reshaping industries. The first session, titled "Is the IT Services Industry Going Extinct?", is scheduled for March 26 at 11 a.m. ET. Key details: - The forum is described as focused on the practical work required to scale AI beyond proofs of concept, according to Tinaikar. - Tinaikar said many organizations have not truly scaled AI into successful business outcomes and face deployment challenges. - He suggested recent advances mean 2026 may be an inflection point for companies that have delayed action. - The series frames leadership choices around "where to play" and "how to play," covering operating models, pricing, talent and go-to-market approaches. - The inaugural session will feature Francisco D'Souza and focus on the IT services industry; future sessions will look at manufacturing, financial services and global markets. - Organizers point to legacy technology and the difficulty of broad deployment as central hurdles for companies seeking AI impact. Summary: The forum aims to move the conversation from hype to real-world execution by centering strategic decisions executives face as AI moves deeper into the enterprise. The March 26 session will address the IT services industry, and additional sessions are planned to explore other sectors. Dates and full agendas for later sessions were not specified.