Fractal, India’s first AI analytics unicorn, is poised for an IPO at a reported valuation of $3 billion. From being founded 24 years ago long before AI became a buzzword every business wanted to log on to by five IIM batchmates, the company quickly gained traction amongst Indian and international clients. Within a few years however, it faced a leadership crisis with two of its founders exiting Srikant Vellamakani, whose CEO ship was the centre of a raging debate among the founder group, however, took the setback as not a “Why me?” lament but a “Why not me?” lesson instead. Soon enough he made a comeback as the CEO and 2022, the company entered the unicorn club with a $360 million investment from TPG. Along the way it came up with some groundbreaking solutions for clients spread across more than 10 industries and 170 plus enterprises-including a solution that reduced railway track crossing accidents in Mumbai by a whooping 75%. In this corner officer conversation, host Arijit Barman talks to Srikanth Velamakanni about AI of today, tomorrow and the future. Will it be responsible or regulated? From maths to machine and the mind here is a freewheeling conversation, up, close & personal.