From podcasts to panels, Narayana Murthy’s views on AI, work culture, and discipline often go viral. Here are 5 quotes that recently sparked conversations.
On working 70 hours/week In October 2023, on Mohandas Pai's podcast, N R Narayana Murthy stated: “My request is that our youngsters must say, ‘This is my country. I’d like to work 70 hours a week’.”
On perks of AI Murthy described AI's role in his own productivity in June 2025: "Earlier…it used to take around 25-30 hours to prepare a lecture…but with ChatGPT…in five hours, I could improve the draft."
On employer boundaries In February 2015, Murthy advised: "Even if you have something important, don't disturb your people on a Sunday morning." This was part of his guidance on employee well-being.
On his early work hours Reflecting on his early career, he stated in October 2023: "I would get to the office at 6:30 am and leave at 8:30 pm. I was working almost 85 to 90 hours a week..."
On AI and jobs Addressing AI job fears, Murthy used an analogy: "Everybody said when computers came to the banking sector, 'No, no, no, jobs will go away.' No, jobs have multiplied by a factor of 40 to 50 in the banking sector.”