Cognizant Charts Next Growth Phase with AI Push, Outcome-Based Pricing and India IPO Plan

After completing a three-year stabilisation phase, Cognizant is entering a new growth chapter focused on artificial intelligence, new pricing models and strategic expansion, including a possible secondary listing in India. 

AI-Led Growth and Platform Transformation 

Cognizant is repositioning itself from a traditional IT services provider to a builder of AI-driven enterprise solutions.  

In an interview with CNBC-TV18 on World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos CEO Ravi Kumar S highlighted that artificial intelligence allows the company to move beyond systems integration and play a deeper role in core business operations.  

“The first three years were about stabilisation. The next few years are about bold bets.” The company’s AI strategy operates on two tracks: modernising legacy software through human–machine collaboration, and building what Kumar calls “Software 2.0”, where machines increasingly generate software and humans validate it.  

This shift is aimed at expanding Cognizant’s addressable market and reinforcing its identity as a technology builder rather than a manpower-led services firm. 

Outcome-Based Pricing and Business Model Shift 

AI is also enabling a structural change in how Cognizant prices its services. The company is moving away from effort-linked billing towards outcome-based pricing, where value delivery takes precedence over time spent.  

“Organic growth has to be the foundation. Once that is back, you can layer big bets on top of it.” By bundling platforms, cloud infrastructure, AI models and human expertise, Cognizant aims to take greater ownership of both risk and outcomes.  

Strategic partnerships with Anthropic, Google and Microsoft support this platforms-led services approach, marking a clear departure from linear, headcount-driven growth. 

India IPO Plans and Strategic Expansion 

Cognizant is actively exploring a secondary listing or IPO in India, engaging with regulators on what would be a first-of-its-kind structure for a US-listed IT services firm.  

“We are working with the regulators in India. This is the first time something like this is being attempted, so we also have the responsibility of helping shape the process.” 

Alongside this, mergers and acquisitions are back on the agenda, particularly in AI platforms, industry-specific capabilities and underpenetrated regions such as Europe and Asia-Pacific.  

“M&A should be layered on top of organic growth,” Kumar said, signalling that renewed operational strength has reopened multiple strategic levers for long-term expansion. 

Read More: Cognizant Faces Multiple Class-Action Lawsuits in the US Over TriZetto Data Breach! 

Conclusion  

Having regained operational stability, Cognizant is repositioning itself for long-term growth through artificial intelligence, platform-led services and outcome-based pricing. A potential India listing and renewed focus on strategic acquisitions further underline its intent to expand its investor base, strengthen market presence and evolve beyond traditional IT services. 

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