EXL eyes two new India centres as AI spend set to rise in 2026

Core Insights - Global IT spending is on the rise, with a significant shift in allocations towards AI, infrastructure, and cybersecurity, creating new opportunities for companies like EXL [1][11] - EXL plans to establish two new centers in tier-2 or tier-3 cities in India to leverage infrastructure and talent advantages beyond metropolitan areas [11] Company Strategy - EXL employs approximately 45,000 of its over 60,000 global workforce in India and aims to enhance its delivery ecosystem by building new infrastructure in identified cities [3][11] - The new centers are expected to target a capacity of 500-1000 Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) to attract management and leadership talent [2][11] Revenue and Market Position - EXL's revenue is primarily derived from the US market, with 80% coming from sectors such as insurance, healthcare, and banking/financial services [5][11] - Digital operations management accounts for 44% of EXL's revenue, while data analytics and AI contribute 56% to its nearly USD 2 billion annual revenue [11] Client Demands and Industry Trends - Clients are increasingly seeking AI-driven workflow reimagination rather than just efficiency gains, necessitating innovation and human-AI collaboration [6][7][11] - The demand for AI tools is transforming traditional roles, such as in insurance underwriting, where quote times have been reduced from weeks to hours [8][11] Future Outlook - Overall IT spending is expected to continue increasing over the next 5, 10, or 15 years, with a notable shift in spending towards AI and infrastructure [9][10][11] - Companies are focusing on achieving greater efficiency in traditional spending areas while also investing in new domains like AI and cybersecurity [10][11]