‘My school motto has helped throughout my journey’

He is an AI Solutions Architect at EY, working across Generative AI, Agentic AI, Marketing Technology, and tech-enabled growth strategy. With a focus on helping large organisations adopt AI for business growth, sales, marketing, and process improvement, Gagan Anand, alumnus of Apeejay School, Noida, has built a career at the intersection of technology and strategy.

In a candid interview, he shares his fondest memories from the school, among other things.

How did the school shape your career journey?

I was there for all of my schooling, from nursery to Class XII. Apart from academics, the school had a strong focus on extracurricular activities. I was part of the robotics club, the volleyball team, and even a philately club at one point. There were so many activities students could participate in. I was also part of the music club and used to sing in the school assembly. I feel all these experiences contributed a lot to my personal growth.

Were there any competitions or experiences during school that stayed with you?

In Class XI, I took part in a competition called Future Cities 2020. This was back in 2007, and the idea was to imagine how cities would look in the year 2020. We developed a complete plan and eventually won the competition. It was an all-India competition, and the prize was presented by the Minister of Science and Technology at that time. That experience really opened our eyes. It showed us that even school students can have ideas that are taken seriously and can bring about positive change.

What are some of your fondest memories from school?

Participating in competitions, clubs, assemblies, sports, and group activities created experiences that I still remember vividly. Winning the Future Cities competition remains one of the highlights because it gave us confidence and made us realise that our ideas had value.

What exactly does an AI Solutions Architect do, and what inspired you to become one?

He is someone who creates a roadmap or architecture for IT solutions and determines how information moves from one place to another. I work as an AI Solutions Architect. In my role, I consult large companies, primarily Fortune 500 organisations, and help them understand how they can integrate AI into their businesses to improve sales, marketing, and business processes.

Are there any lessons from school that still stay with you today?

I remember that when we were in school, we all received Dr Stya Paul’s book of poems. One thought from there stayed with me deeply, and it also became our school motto, ‘Soaring High is My Nature’. I always felt the message behind it was to constantly keep improving yourself. You can never think that whatever you have achieved is enough. There is always more to learn, more to do, and more to become. That mindset has stayed with me throughout my journey.

How important is adaptability in today’s corporate world?

If you look at the past, people could learn one skill and continue using it for decades. But today, technology changes at a very fast pace. Sometimes in just three or four years, entirely new technologies emerge and change the whole way of working. I believe these cycles are only becoming shorter, so it is extremely important to keep learning and adapting continuously.

What guidance would you like to give to present Apeejayites?

Students should not limit themselves only to the curriculum. Academics are important, but it is equally important to participate in sports, debates, clubs, societies, and creative activities. Joining these groups helps students navigate life much better. The soft skills and experiences you build through these activities definitely remain valuable throughout life.