The Times of India · 10 Sep, 12:14 · Technology briefing

AI Quotient Awards 2026: “AI should not be about bigger models, but models fit for purpose,” says Sandip

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

The 2026 AI Quotient Awards have highlighted a significant shift in artificial intelligence discourse, with expert Sandip asserting that the industry must prioritise purpose-built models over merely larger ones. This perspective challenges the prevailing narrative that bigger models invariably yield superior results. Instead, the focus is moving towards efficiency, specificity, and practical applicability in professional contexts. The awards recognise this strategic pivot, signalling that organisations should evaluate AI solutions based on their fitness for specific operational tasks rather than raw computational scale. This development underscores a growing maturity in AI adoption, where value is derived from targeted problem-solving rather than technological spectacle.

Employer demand for AI Strategy skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must pivot your strategy away from chasing the latest, largest models. Instead, focus on understanding how to deploy smaller, specialised tools that solve specific business problems efficiently. Skills in requirements engineering and system integration will rise in value, as you will need to match the right AI solution to precise operational needs. Pay close attention to cost-efficiency and performance metrics rather than model size. A smart professional would immediately audit their current AI stack, identifying areas where bespoke, smaller models could outperform generalist giants. Invest time in learning how to evaluate model fitness for purpose. This shift demands a more nuanced technical literacy, allowing you to advise stakeholders on pragmatic, cost-effective AI implementations. Prioritise adaptability and strategic alignment over raw technical power in your career development plans.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are AI Strategy, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Requirements Engineering — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

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