Archive · 24 Sep 2026
Zoho’s AI Reinvention Fuels Vembu’s Challenge to AI Slowdown
Zoho is celebrating 30 years by building more products around artificial intelligence.
Its new tool, Zia Chat, lets businesses find information and manage work through one conversation-based interface.
It can connect documents, conversations, databases and other software services.
Zoho is also growing its ERP business, which helps companies manage many parts of their operations.
Sridhar Vembu said companies such as OpenAI and Anthropic can slow down if they want, but nobody is forcing them to.
He believes businesses should focus on learning how to use AI safely and effectively.
Vembu also said people must remain responsible for important professional decisions made with AI.
He expects workers with both software knowledge and expertise in a particular industry to become more valuable.
He urged India to invest in talented people outside major cities, including in rural areas.
Zoho launched Zia Chat, an AI interface connecting business data, applications and workflows.
The company is expanding ERP software developed at its rural facility in Kumbakonam.
Sridhar Vembu said OpenAI and Anthropic can slow their own AI development without asking others to do so.
Vembu argued that AI users, including engineers and doctors, must retain responsibility for their decisions.
He said India should develop rural talent and that professionals combining software and domain expertise will become more valuable.
- Who
- Zoho and its co-founder and Chief Scientist, Sridhar Vembu.
- What
- Zoho launched Zia Chat and discussed its ERP expansion, AI strategy and talent development.
- When
- As Zoho marked its 30th anniversary.
- Where
- Zoho is headquartered in Chennai, with ERP development also taking place at a rural facility in Kumbakonam.
- Why
- Zoho is pursuing AI-led growth and broader enterprise software opportunities while Vembu argues that companies should master AI rather than wait for an industry-wide slowdown.
Vembu’s Position
Calls for Caution
Whether AI development should slow
Vembu’s Position
Sridhar Vembu said OpenAI and Anthropic are free to slow their own development, but other companies do not have to follow them. He urged greater investment in research, development and AI expertise.
Calls for Caution
The article refers to calls for caution or a slowdown from AI companies including OpenAI and Anthropic as increasingly powerful models are developed.
- Company milestone
- Zoho is marking 30 years.
- New product
- Zia Chat is an AI-powered conversational interface for business information, applications and workflows.
- ERP development
- Zoho has worked on ERP for eight years.
- ERP location
- The ERP offerings were developed from Zoho’s rural facility in Kumbakonam.
- Industry applications
- Zoho has launched vertical software for sectors including retail, automotive, financial services, healthcare, education, real estate and restaurants.
- AI position
- Vembu said OpenAI and Anthropic can slow their own development, but no one is forcing them to do so.
- Workforce outlook
- Vembu expects professionals combining software skills with domain expertise to become more valuable.