Transforming Infrastructure with AI: Pervinder Johar's Vision

Formerly known as SparkCognition, Avathon has announced a rebranding and bold intentions to triple its staff in India in the coming 24 months. This strategic move demonstrates Avathon's dedication to transforming Industrial AI in supply chain management, energy, and aviation industries. Avathon's commitment to incorporating cutting-edge AI into legacy infrastructure and converting conventional systems into self-sufficient, resilient, and sustainable ecosystems is demonstrated by this rebranding milestone. Avathon wants to address these pressing global issues and maintain its position as a critical player in the industrial sector, as over $100 trillion of ageing infrastructure is under more stress due to supply disruptions, labour shortages, and changing security threats.

In this exclusive interview with Dataquest, CEO Pervinder Johar explains the vision behind Avathon's new identity, its role in bridging AI with physical infrastructure, and the company's dedication to responsible AI implementation as it takes on both present and future challenges.

Excerpts:

SparkCognition, a prominent AI tech company since 2013, is rebranding as Avathon and positioning itself to impact India's infrastructure sector. Could you tell us more about the vision behind this rebranding and how it aligns with the company's long-term goals?

Absolutely. Our company began as SparkCognition in 2013, rooted in academia at UT Austin. The initial focus was on using AI to tackle some of the most challenging industry problems, hence the name "SparkCognition," symbolising igniting new ideas. Over the past decade, we've worked with over 280 companies on implementing AI in industrial processes. But this year, we've shifted to a more marathon-like approach. Rather than a series of sprints, we focus on creating a long-term platform that integrates AI for enduring impact.

The new name, Avathon, comes from two Greek words:

• "Av."

• Meaning to bind together and "marathon."

• Symbolising a long-term, cohesive journey.

This name reflects our evolution—from tackling projects with a sprint-like focus to building a platform that merges AI with the physical world across sectors like oil & gas, aviation, and manufacturing.

Could you elaborate on how Avathon assists traditional industries, such as oil & gas and manufacturing, in harnessing AI for long-term goals?

Traditional infrastructure is filled with ageing assets—planes, energy facilities, and manufacturing plants, for example—that are crucial but require enhanced maintenance to extend their lifespan. Avathon focuses on two primary approaches: using AI to predict maintenance needs and perform prescriptive repairs, which helps maximise asset lifespan. We also work with renewable energy providers to optimise the performance of solar farms and wind assets by positioning them to achieve peak output.

Additionally, we're applying AI to build new infrastructure. In supply chain and manufacturing, for instance, we use AI for quality control and digital twins, which allow companies to visualise their entire production chain and identify inefficiencies. Looking to the future, we're exploring autonomous systems—not just autonomous driving but also air taxis and autonomous air traffic control, especially as urban air mobility becomes more feasible.

Given the scale of these technologies, how does Avathon ensure responsible and ethical AI use?

Responsibility is foundational, especially around safety and quality. My career began in control systems for nuclear and thermal power plants, so I've always held safety to the highest standard. In our work with oil and gas clients, we leverage computer vision to maintain facility safety, ensuring personnel don't enter hazardous zones.

We also believe in using AI as a "co-pilot" to assist rather than replace humans. We're cautious of letting machines take complete control; our goal is to enhance human capabilities and decision-making rather than to automate entire roles out of existence.

With this rebranding and Avathon's focus on longer-term partnerships, do you foresee any shifts in your client relationships?

We're transitioning from transactional relationships to long-term partnerships. In industries like aerospace or oil & gas, there are only a few key players, such as Boeing and Airbus in aerospace or the supermajors in oil. Instead of treating them as customers in a conventional sense, we're committed to being strategic partners who support them through transformations and challenges. This approach aligns us more closely with their goals, creating a mutual journey of progress rather than a vendor-client exchange.

India has a thriving tech ecosystem. What are the unique challenges and opportunities for AI companies here?

A unique aspect of Avathon is that we operate at the intersection of AI and physical industries, which requires talent in both computer science and fields like mechanical and electrical engineering. However, in India, the focus has leaned heavily toward computer science, with fewer engineers trained in robotics or physical infrastructure. Our challenge is to find and train engineers who integrate these fields and understand how AI intersects with the physical world.

India has incredible potential, but we need more interdisciplinary engineers who can apply AI beyond software into real-world settings. We see it coming full circle—now, all engineering disciplines must integrate AI and computer science to stay relevant in today's world.

Conclusion

Avathon is ramping up recruitment efforts nationwide to bolster its India presence, focusing on attracting top talent in AI and engineering. While Avathon's global headquarters recently relocated to Silicon Valley to capitalise on the region's innovation ecosystem, its dedication to nurturing talent and advancing R&D in India remains a top priority.

Avathon's AI platform is contracted to deliver safety monitoring for some of India's major oil and gas organisations across 17,000 retail outlets, 83 terminals, and 15 airport fueling stations. 

With strategic partnerships with technology giants like NVIDIA and Qualcomm, Avathon continues to deliver innovative, cost-effective products tailored to its clients. The rebranding marks a pivotal step in Avathon's journey to becoming a global leader in applied AI, leveraging its expertise to solve critical challenges for industries worldwide.

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