The Agentic Boardroom Awakens: Dr. Ish Anand On AI, Quantum, And The Future Of Board Decision-Making
In the not-so-distant future, artificial intelligence (AI) and quantum computing will converge to transform the corporate boardroom into an intelligent, multi-agent ecosystem, says Dr. Ish Anand, Founder & CEO of Relia Smart Global Advisory (FZE), UAE. He was speaking at the India Board Conclave 2025. The conference was hosted by Board Stewardship on April 16, 2025, at the National Stock Exchange (NSE). Dr. Anand guided the esteemed audience on the impact of cutting-edge technology on the Board’s functioning through his forward-looking session titled “AI Quantum: The Agentic Boardroom Awakens”.
Dr. Anand painted a vision of tomorrow’s boardrooms—where agentic AI and quantum computing will reconfigure how decisions are made, risks are mitigated, and value is created. “IQ and EQ are two areas that I believe represent AI and quantum computing, respectively. I use this analogy because one supports the other—just like intelligence and emotion do in humans. When these technologies work together, they bring balance and insight. Imagine a boardroom where AI handles logic and data, while quantum thinking provides complexity, nuance, and even empathy. That’s the future—and it’s not science fiction anymore.”
Dr. Anand shared how agentic AI—which involves deploying multiple autonomous digital agents, each with its own specialisation—is already transforming leadership decision-making. “In a modern boardroom, it’s not about having just one tool. You need an ecosystem of agents—cybersecurity, finance, regulation, and marketing—each programmed to offer data, simulate scenarios, and recommend actions. These agents don’t make the final decision. But they empower the human leader with sharper insights and better choices. It’s like having a council of experts whispering in your ear before every big call.”
He emphasised that India is uniquely positioned to emerge as a global leader in AI and quantum if it leverages its talent and heritage. “We have the knowledge and capability, but we must match it with ambition. Institutions like IIT Mandi are already advancing photon-based quantum computing, backed by the ₹6,000 crore National Quantum Mission propelling India into the quantum future. We can build agentic systems that are not just intelligent but ethical—rooted in Indian values, inspired by Dharma. The Sabhas of the Mahabharata were once spaces for wise counsel. Our boardrooms can echo that legacy—with AI as the new voice of wisdom.”
In conclusion, Dr. Anand made a passionate appeal to corporate leaders and regulators: “We are the builders of these models. And so we must embed ethics, culture, and foresight into every layer. Governance can’t remain passive while technology evolves. The boardroom must not only adopt agentic AI—it must shape its future for the good of society, business, and the world at large.”
Dr. Anand’s message was clear: as agentic AI and quantum computing redefine the corporate landscape, Boards must not only embrace these tools—but also embed responsibility, regulation, and ethics at the core of their evolution.
