Most Visionary AI Leaders to Watch in 2026
Influence in artificial intelligence is not always measured by funding rounds or model size. Sometimes, it is reflected in the discipline to ship something genuinely useful before the hype cycle catches up. The Portfolio‘s latest edition, “Most Visionary AI Leaders to Watch in 2026“, celebrates these individuals and the decisions that have defined their impact.
During the development of this edition, we spoke with Founders, Chief AI Officers, Research Leads, Product Heads, and technologists building at the industry’s frontier. Their backgrounds spanned deep research labs, enterprise software, and early-stage startups, yet one theme consistently emerged: the most visionary leaders in AI are those who pair technical depth with commercial clarity.
In this edition, you will discover the stories, strategic bets, and hard-earned lessons of the people shaping how AI actually gets built and deployed in 2026. Also, do read our What Matters on the rise of collaborative robots on factory floors and on AI Architect.
Dr Sanjoy Bhattacharya
Co-Founder & CEO
Sriggle Tech Pvt. Ltd.
Technology transformation and digital innovation have defined Dr Sanjoy Bhattacharya’s leadership journey across the global travel ecosystem. With over two decades of extensive experience in IT governance, infrastructure management, and platform development, he continues to empower organisations through customer-centric solutions that enhance operational efficiency and drive sustainable growth. He is committed to delivering solutions that enhance operational efficiency and customer-centric approaches in the travel industry.
Abdul Wahid
General Manager & Head of Engineering
Taabi.ai (An RPG Company)
An engineering leader with more than 18 years of experience, Abdul Wahid specialises in building and scaling cloud-native, data-intensive platforms across AI, IoT, and connected mobility ecosystems. His leadership continues to drive engineering excellence, platform innovation, and intelligent mobility solutions through resilient and high-impact technology strategies.
Ahamed Kabeer
Founder & Director
IDDCR Global Research CRO Pvt. Ltd.
Clinical research, data science, and healthcare education have been at the core of Ahamed Kabeer’s professional journey for over two decades. With deep expertise in biostatistics, clinical data management, and regulatory compliance, he continues to advance technology-enabled healthcare innovation and strengthen global standards in drug discovery and clinical development.
Ankur Razdan
Managing Principal
VersePort Consulting
Having spent 24 years at the intersection of enterprise technology and business transformation, Ankur Razdan has played a pivotal role in helping organisations convert emerging technologies into scalable business outcomes. His work continues to shape AI-driven transformation, platform modernisation, and enterprise capability development across global markets.
Vivek Dodamane Nataraja
Associate Director, AI Solution Development
Bloom Value India Pvt. Ltd.
Recognised for his expertise in analytics and AI solution development, Vivek Dodamane Nataraja, Associate Director, AI Solution Development, brings nearly two decades of experience in business intelligence and technology transformation. His leadership continues to help organisations unlock business value through intelligent automation, advanced analytics, and data-driven decision-making strategies.