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Cognizant Downplays AI Threat

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Cognizant’s leadership has said concerns that emerging artificial intelligence tools could replace large IT services firms are overstated.

Executives noted that while advanced systems are transforming workflows, organizations still require expertise to implement, integrate, and manage these technologies effectively. The complexity of deploying AI within enterprise environments continues to create demand for specialized services.

Industry discussions have highlighted potential disruption from newer AI-driven solutions. However, Cognizant emphasized that businesses typically need structured support to scale and govern these systems rather than relying solely on automated tools.

The company expects continued growth as clients expand adoption of AI across operational processes. Leadership indicated that technological change may reshape roles but is unlikely to eliminate the need for service providers in the near term.

The perspective aligns with broader views in the IT sector that artificial intelligence is more likely to drive transformation than displacement.

Accenture plans new Andhra Pradesh campus, aims to add 12,000 jobs in India

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Accenture has proposed building a new campus in Visakhapatnam, in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, with plans to eventually create 12,000 jobs, sources told Reuters. The move would significantly expand its presence in India, which is already Accenture’s largest global hub with over 300,000 employees out of 790,000 worldwide.

The proposal seeks around 10 acres of land under a new Andhra Pradesh policy offering large firms leased land at a token rate of 0.99 rupees ($0.0112) per acre in exchange for job creation. The request is currently under government review but is expected to be approved, according to officials familiar with the matter.

The state recently approved similar projects by Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Cognizant, which together plan to generate about 20,000 jobs in Visakhapatnam. Cognizant has pledged $183 million, while TCS has earmarked about $154 million for its facility.

Accenture has not disclosed its planned investment, but if approved, the Visakhapatnam campus would mark another step in the tech sector’s push into Tier-2 Indian cities. Companies are expanding beyond major hubs like Bengaluru and Hyderabad to tap lower land, wage, and rental costs, while benefiting from easier local hiring.

The expansion also comes as the Indian IT sector faces global headwinds:

  • U.S. President Donald Trump’s new $100,000 H-1B visa fee could hurt Indian firms, which are the largest users of the program.

  • A proposed 25% U.S. outsourcing tax could lead clients to delay or renegotiate contracts, adding further uncertainty.

Despite these challenges, India remains a cornerstone of global IT operations, and Andhra Pradesh is positioning itself as a rising destination for major technology investments.

Trump slaps $100K annual fee on H-1B visas, rattling U.S. tech sector

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The Trump administration on Friday announced a sweeping change to the H-1B visa program, saying companies will now have to pay $100,000 per year per visa—a move critics warn could devastate the U.S. tech industry’s access to global talent.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick framed the move as part of Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, urging firms to “train Americans” instead of hiring foreign workers. But tech giants including Microsoft, Amazon, and JPMorgan quickly advised employees on H-1B visas to remain in the U.S. or return before the new fees take effect at midnight Saturday.

The H-1B program, which provides 85,000 visas annually for specialized workers, has long been dominated by Indian nationals (71% of approvals in 2024) and Chinese professionals (11.7%). In the first half of 2025 alone, Amazon received approval for more than 12,000 H-1B visas, with Microsoft and Meta securing over 5,000 each.

Under the new rules, the cost of a three-year H-1B stint would balloon to $300,000 per worker, compared with just a few thousand dollars under the current system. Analysts say this could force smaller firms and startups to offshore high-value work, weakening the U.S. in the global AI and tech race against China.

Industry figures voiced alarm. Venture capitalist Deedy Das warned the change “creates disincentive to attract the world’s smartest talent,” while eMarketer analyst Jeremy Goldman said Washington risks “taxing away its innovation edge, trading dynamism for short-sighted protectionism.”

The announcement sparked immediate financial fallout: shares of Cognizant sank nearly 5%, while Infosys and Wipro slipped 2–5% in U.S. trading.

Meanwhile, Trump also signed an executive order creating a “gold card” residency program, offering permanent U.S. residency for those who can pay $1 million upfront.

Legal experts questioned the fee’s validity, noting Congress only authorizes visa fees to cover administrative costs, not as a revenue generator. Still, the administration insists “all the big companies are on board.”