According to CFO Kabir Shakir, when AI giant Nvidia sought to expand its alliances in India, it knew exactly who to partner with. Says Shakir: “They did their homework, and they tapped on Tata’s door.”

This partnership Kabir tells us is but one of a number of alliance milestones in Tata’s journey to becoming “the national AI champion for all of India.” Along the way, Tata Communications received its first order of Nvidia’s technology and has fast-tracked its integration into their production processes. With Tata’s dominance in the Indian market, Kabir tell us the company is now determined to capitalize on its Nvidia partnership, to drive growth through AI innovations across its offerings.

Of course, few executives are arguably better prepared to serve as an ambassador to U.S. technology companies alongside India’s maturing AI aspirations than Kabir Shakir. Before being named as CFO of Tata Communications in 2020, Shakir as CFO of Microsoft India oversaw the software developer’s finance function for all of India, gaining deep insights into the dynamics of tech-driven growth in one of the world’s most complex markets. His role at Microsoft involved managing a fast-evolving financial landscape, making him well-versed in navigating the intersections of technology, finance, and global business. Prior to his tenure at Microsoft, Shakir spent 23 years at Unilever, where he advanced through various finance roles, ultimately leading major financial initiatives across multiple geographies.

Beyond the Nvidia alliance, Tata Communications has formed strategic partnerships with other tech giants, including Microsoft, Google, Cisco, and AWS, positioning itself as a key player in the global digital ecosystem. Each of these collaborations strengthens Tata’s ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions, particularly as the world increasingly embraces AI-driven technologies.

Tata’s long-standing relationship with Formula 1 further showcases its expertise in high-performance data transmission. Tata handles the live feed of Formula 1 races globally, ensuring seamless delivery to millions of viewers. This partnership exemplifies Tata’s capability to manage complex, large-scale operations while maintaining the highest standards of quality and reliability.

These partnerships, whether with AI innovators like Nvidia or in sports broadcasting with Formula 1, Shakir tell us are central to Tata’s growth strategy, driving both innovation and market leadership in the increasingly digital world.

1026: Partnering for Growth in the Age of AI | Kabir Ahmed Shakir, CFO, Tata Communications

CFO THOUGHT LEADER