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2024 the year that was – Peter Watling & the art of getting your AI right in 2025
MUMBAI: The buzzword dominating the industry in 2024 is undoubtedly artificial intelligence (AI). Whether or not it’s being fully adopted across the board remains a topic of debate, but one thing is clear: AI’s potential to revolutionise workflows and deliver efficiencies is captivating business leaders everywhere.
But amidst the excitement, are we overlooking something essential?
Sure, AI might one day butter our toast and tie our shoelaces, but before we dive headfirst into complex AI models and cutting-edge algorithms, we should step back and consider whether the core infrastructure of our businesses is ready to support these advancements as we move into 2025.
The Distinction Between automation and AI
Because of the hype around AI and generative AI in 2024 and the bizarre valuations and market capitalisation that companies are getting just by mentioning AI in their mission statement, it’s important to clarify now as we are moving into 2025 what we mean when we talk about AI.
Much of what is often labeled AI is really advanced automation—technology that eliminates repetitive, manual tasks and introduces efficiency to workflows. Take, for example, the ability to automatically extract and organise metadata from content files, making them searchable without manual data entry.
True AI, on the other hand, ventures into areas like object recognition, natural language understanding, and predictive analytics. While these capabilities are impressive, they often require significant investment in training and fine-tuning to produce meaningful results. Even then, they may not deliver the expected benefits if the system is working with incomplete or poorly organised data.
The archive: a neglected core asset; pay heed to it in 2025
Here’s the crux of the matter: no AI model, no matter how intelligent, can be effective without a solid foundation. That foundation is your archive.
All too often, businesses rely on outdated or fragmented storage solutions—an array of drives, legacy systems, or LTO tape setups that were never designed to handle the demands of today’s workflows. Even those who’ve embraced cloud solutions may find themselves hindered by unexpected costs, such as prohibitive fees for accessing and retrieving data during AI-driven searches.
Without an effective archive platform, the very content you want to leverage may be disorganised, inaccessible, or prohibitively expensive to use.
Investing in the right foundations; 2025 is the year to begin
To truly harness the potential of AI—or even simpler workflow automation—organisations need to prioritise modernising their storage and archive platforms. This doesn’t mean discarding everything and starting over; rather, it’s about adopting solutions that integrate with existing systems while offering the scalability and efficiency required for future growth.
A modern archive platform serves as an active repository, enabling seamless access to your media and providing the tools to:
* Automate workflows.
* Quickly locate and retrieve content.
* Share assets effortlessly with partners and clients.
Such platforms aren’t just about storage—they unlock the potential for monetisation, turning your archive from a static cost center into a dynamic business asset.
Overcoming challenges to change; back to the drawing board in the new year
The two greatest obstacles to modernising archives are budget and mindset. While technology providers have become increasingly flexible in their pricing models—offering cost-effective, private-cloud solutions that organisations can host and control—resistance to change often proves harder to overcome.
Rethinking long-established workflows and processes can be uncomfortable but standing still in a fast-evolving industry risks falling behind. Adopting modern storage solutions isn’t just about saving money; it’s about enabling greater efficiency and creating new revenue opportunities.
Building for the future; not just for 2025
In the rush to embrace AI and other advanced technologies, let’s not forget the importance of laying a strong foundation as we move into 2025. An optimised archive platform isn’t just a storage solution—it’s the backbone of your operations, enabling you to take full advantage of innovations like AI when the time is right. That means being ready with your tech stack which is upgradable and scalable in future.
So, before we sprint into the AI-driven future, let’s ensure we’ve built the solid infrastructure we need to thrive. After all, there’s no point decorating the house if the foundation isn’t sound.
By focusing on the basics—organising, protecting, and making your content accessible—you’ll not only prepare your business for the next wave of innovation but ensure you’re maximising the value of your assets today.
Peter Watling is Perifery senior sales director – EMEA .
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
