Cognizant CEO Hires 20,000 Graduates, Calls AI Token Metrics a 'Vanity Measure'

Executive Briefing

• Rejects fearmongering: Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S. says AI will create more jobs, not eliminate them
• Expands hiring: Company recruited 20,000 entry-level graduates in 2025 and expects growth in 2026
• Introduces new roles: AI Builder strategy adds Frontier Certified Engineer and Frontier Business Operator positions open to any major
• Warns against token metrics: Kumar argues token consumption used by Meta, Amazon, and OpenAI measures the wrong productivity indicator
• Predicts structural shift: Workforce pyramid will flatten, with AI occupying middle layers while front and back-end roles grow
• Advocates outcome-based pay: Kumar envisions firms being compensated for business results rather than billable hours or project delivery