Sameer Dhanrajani - The Entrepreneurs of India Magazine - Edition 35

The path of 3AI that Sameer Dhanrajani has taken has been motivated by a single reason: to create a global community where AI, Analytics and GCC leaders can find their voice. When he originally developed the concept of 3AI, he recognized a gap in the industry that no one was addressing. AI and GCCs were among the fastest growing sectors in India and the world, with limitless opportunities for business and digital transformation. Yet, many leaders, despite their academic excellence and years of experience in large, well-established enterprises, did not enjoy the visibility or recognition of thought leadership. 3AI was created to change that.

From the very beginning, the mission was clear. Sameer’s vision was to build the world’s largest AI and Analytics platform, democratizing thought leadership at scale. Today, 3AI is a thriving organization with a membership base exceeding 50,000 across 32 geographies. It features more than 1,500 curated AI and Analytics leaders from 980 organizations and over 430 Global Capability Centers active on the platform. More than just numbers, it represents energy, ambition and a promise to give AI and GCC leaders space to grow.

What differentiates 3AI from others is its ability to create a segment that did not previously exist. Building a true AI and Analytics ecosystem required vision, planning, execution and unwavering attention. These are qualities Sameer and his team brought through years of domain expertise and deep industry insight. Over the past five years, 3AI has launched properties and offerings that have helped define the professional personas of more than 1,500 leaders. The platform has enabled 400 GCCs to identify the right partners through GCC Sphere, providing access to marketplace solutions that accelerate growth.

The community has grown not only in size but also in depth and complexity. Having hosted more than 950 engagements including leadership programs, knowledge sessions, forums and specialized interventions, 3AI has firmly established itself as the convergence point for AI, GCC and Analytics professionals. It is not just a platform to join. It is a platform to experience.

To keep engagement relevant across such a large base, the team developed an in-house algorithmic model that maps the persona and archetype of every thought leader. By analyzing profession, industry and leadership style, 3AI is able to match individuals with the most relevant opportunities, whether in publishing, speaking or curated sessions. Members also gain access to a vast repository of over 9,000 hours of video content, thousands of articles, case studies, blogs and white papers. Knowledge continues to flow through regular webinars, podcasts, conclaves and online summits.

Among its many initiatives, the Thought Leaders Circle (TLC) shines as one of 3AI’s flagship offerings. This invite-only leadership forum has grown into the largest of its kind in AI and GCCs, giving 1,200 leaders a platform to sharpen their professional identity, increase visibility and develop a distinctive thought leadership quotient that is globally recognized. For many, TLC has become a career-defining pivot.

Beyond the community, 3AI’s flagship events BEYOND, GCCX and Gen AI MAX stand apart from conventional conferences. Unlike generic gatherings, these events crowdsource themes directly from leaders, introduce fresh formats and deliver high production value. BEYOND explores future AI possibilities. GCCX focuses on GCC growth and development. Gen AI MAX showcases the breadth of generative AI, data engineering and cloud. Together, they have reimagined the way industry events are conducted.

Knowledge properties such as ATLAS and FLIX are another cornerstone of 3AI. ATLAS hosts the largest online repository of curated stories, papers and reports, with more than 4,500 entries. FLIX offers a video channel with more than 9,000 hours of recordings and discussions, also accessible via YouTube. Both serve as invaluable resources for professionals deeply invested in AI and Analytics. Looking ahead, 3AI plans to launch short learning capsules and personalized content to further enrich member experiences.

The impact of 3AI goes beyond content and scale. Over time, it has evolved into a marketplace connecting GCCs, enterprises and partners. Through GCC Sphere, the platform has enabled businesses to collaborate with consulting firms, AI providers, technology innovators and talent organizations. TLC members have advanced to senior roles, diversified their careers and accelerated their growth. Several state governments have partnered with 3AI to design local AI programs, strengthen industry-academia ties and advance talent development initiatives.

The platform’s collaborations have led to numerous success stories. With over 145 businesses, 400 GCCs and 125 academic institutions engaged, 3AI’s influence is vast. Enterprises have leveraged its leader base to refine go-to-market strategies and expand sales pipelines. GCCs have used the platform to build AI Centers of Excellence with expert partners. Academia has benefited from curriculum design inputs, student-industry exchanges and mentoring programs, bridging the gap between classrooms and corporate practice.

Sameer’s earlier leadership experiences at Fidelity, Cognizant and Fractal provided him with valuable lessons in strategy, execution and large-scale business management. Yet, as he admits, the startup journey is different. It brings unforeseen challenges and demands resilience in day-to-day operations. At 3AI, every day is about earning the right to exist, balancing ambition with action and staying deeply engaged with stakeholders.

At the same time, Sameer continues to lead AIQRATE, a bespoke AI advisory and consulting firm that helps enterprises and GCCs craft AI strategies. Balancing both ventures is not easy, but his sense of purpose makes it possible. While AIQRATE focuses on roadmaps and frameworks, 3AI emphasizes community-building and marketplace creation. Both require equal attention, responsibility and accountability to the leaders, partners and organizations that rely on them.

Staying ahead of AI trends remains a top priority. 3AI has already established Special Interest Groups in areas such as generative AI and agent-based AI, producing reports, sessions and content to help members stay ahead of the curve. As Sameer observes, generative AI has leveled the playing field, demanding professionals to be more curious, driven and eager to learn than ever before.

Challenges persist in the AI and Analytics space. One of the most pressing issues is the prevalence of half-baked knowledge on social media, where individuals without credible expertise often pass themselves off as thought leaders. 3AI combats this by ensuring only proven leaders with demonstrated value are given a voice on the platform, cutting through noise to amplify authentic signals.

In the future, 3AI has some big plans. 3AI has bold plans. The India journey is only the beginning. The team intends to replicate its success in the UAE, followed by the UK, USA and Asia-Pacific. Global expansion opportunities are already embedded in its portfolio of properties such as TLC, GCC Sphere, ATLAS, FLIX, Meraki and QuantX. In parallel, 3AI is developing new signature offerings designed to once again push the boundaries of what is possible in AI and GCC ecosystems.

Sameer sums up his philosophy simply: “Done is better than perfection, and risk over comfort has been my mantra.” For a leader who has pioneered an entirely new category in India’s AI and Analytics sector, the road ahead remains wide open and the opportunities limitless.