From 30 Hours to 5: Narayana Murthy Credits ChatGPT for Revolutionizing Lecture Preparation

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In a revelation that has sparked widespread discussion across the tech and education sectors, Narayana Murthy, the iconic founder of Infosys, recently shared how artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed his approach to preparing lectures. Speaking in an exclusive interview with Money control, Murthy disclosed that he now takes just five hours to prepare a lecture, down from a staggering 25–30 hours, thanks to the assistive power of ChatGPT. This statement, made on June 18, 2025, underscores the growing influence of AI in enhancing productivity and reshaping traditional workflows, even for seasoned professionals like Murthy.

Narayana Murthy, a revered figure in India’s IT industry, is known for his disciplined work ethic and commitment to education. As a mentor, speaker, and thought leader, he has delivered countless lectures to students, professionals, and industry peers over the decades. Preparing these lectures, which often involve synthesizing complex ideas, gathering data, and crafting compelling narratives, has historically been a time-intensive process. Murthy’s admission that AI has slashed his preparation time by nearly 80% highlights a pivotal moment in the integration of technology into intellectual work.

How ChatGPT Enables Efficiency

ChatGPT, a conversational AI model powered by advanced natural language processing (NLP), has gained global prominence for its versatility. From drafting emails to generating code, answering queries, and summarizing vast amounts of information, the tool has become a go-to resource for professionals across industries. For Murthy, ChatGPT’s ability to assist in lecture preparation lies in its capacity to:

  1. Accelerate Research: AI can quickly scan and summarize vast repositories of information, pulling relevant data, statistics, and insights in seconds. This eliminates the need for manual searches through books, journals, or websites.
  2. Organize Content: ChatGPT can structure ideas into coherent outlines, ensuring logical flow and clarity. For a lecture, this means creating sections, subheadings, and transitions effortlessly.
  3. Refine Language: The tool can polish drafts, suggesting improvements in grammar, tone, and style, which saves time on editing.
  4. Generate Visual Aids: While not explicitly mentioned by Murthy, AI tools like ChatGPT can also assist in creating summaries or key points that can be converted into slides or handouts.

Murthy’s use of ChatGPT-4, the latest iteration of the model at the time of his statement, reflects his adoption of cutting-edge technology to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving world. By leveraging AI, he has not only optimized his workflow but also set an example for educators and professionals to embrace innovation.

The Broader Implications for Education

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1. Time Savings for Educators

For teachers and professors, who often juggle teaching, research, and administrative duties, AI can significantly reduce the burden of lesson planning. By automating repetitive tasks like drafting syllabi, summarizing readings, or generating quiz questions, tools like ChatGPT free up time for more meaningful engagement with students.

2. Enhanced Content Quality

AI’s ability to pull from diverse sources ensures that lectures are enriched with up-to-date information and global perspectives. Educators can use AI to incorporate case studies, real-world examples, or interdisciplinary insights, making lessons more relevant and engaging.

3. Personalized Learning

While Murthy’s focus was on lecture preparation, AI’s potential extends to customizing content for individual learners. By analyzing student needs, AI can help educators tailor materials to different skill levels, learning styles, or cultural contexts.

4. Democratizing Education

AI tools are relatively affordable and widely available, leveling the playing field for educators in resource-constrained settings. In countries like India, where access to high-quality teaching materials can be limited, AI could empower teachers to deliver world-class content.

However, these benefits come with challenges. Over-reliance on AI risks diminishing critical thinking or originality, and educators must ensure that AI-generated content aligns with their expertise and values. Additionally, issues like data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the digital divide must be addressed to ensure equitable adoption.

Murthy’s Perspective on AI and Jobs

In the same interview, Murthy dismissed fears that AI would lead to widespread job losses, a concern that has loomed large since the rise of generative AI tools. “AI is an assistive tool, not a replacement for human ingenuity,” he said, emphasizing that professionals who embrace AI will gain a competitive edge.

Murthy’s comments also resonate with industry trends. According to a 2024 report by McKinsey, AI could automate up to 30% of current jobs by 2030, but it is also expected to create new roles in AI development, ethics, and implementation. For educators, AI could shift the focus from rote tasks to skills like creativity, emotional intelligence, and strategic problem-solving—qualities that remain distinctly human.

Reactions from the Tech and Education Communities

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Murthy’s statement has elicited a range of responses, as reflected in posts on X and media coverage. Many view his adoption of ChatGPT as a powerful endorsement of AI’s potential. @Rushabh_Shah777, for instance, highlighted the 80% time reduction as evidence of AI’s efficiency, noting its implications for productivity across sectors. Others, like @GoHustleIndia, framed Murthy’s experience as a call to embrace AI for smarter work practices.

The tech community, unsurprisingly, has celebrated Murthy’s remarks. Indian startups like EdTech platform Byju’s and AI firm Fractal Analytics have cited his statement as validation of their efforts to integrate AI into education and business. On X, hashtags like #AIinEducation and #ChatGPT have trended, reflecting the buzz around Murthy’s revelation.

Challenges and Ethical Considerations

While Murthy’s experience is inspiring, it raises important questions about the ethical use of AI in education. Key concerns include:

  • Plagiarism and Originality: AI-generated content can sometimes draw from existing works without proper attribution. Educators must verify sources and ensure their lectures reflect original thought.
  • Bias in AI Outputs: AI models like ChatGPT are trained on vast datasets that may contain biases. For instance, historical data might underrepresent certain communities or perspectives, which could inadvertently seep into lecture content.
  • Equity in Access: While Murthy has access to advanced tools like ChatGPT-4, many educators in rural or underfunded institutions may lack the infrastructure or training to use AI effectively.
  • Student Impact: If educators rely heavily on AI, students might miss out on the human connection and mentorship that are central to learning.

To address these issues, experts recommend guidelines for AI use in education, including transparency about AI’s role, training for educators, and policies to ensure fairness and accountability.

The Future of AI in Education

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Murthy’s embrace of ChatGPT is part of a broader trend. Globally, institutions like Stanford University and the University of Cambridge are experimenting with AI to enhance teaching and research. In India, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasizes technology integration, and AI tools are increasingly being piloted in schools and colleges.

Narayana Murthy’s revelation that ChatGPT has reduced his lecture preparation time from 30 hours to 5 hours is a milestone in the AI revolution. It highlights the transformative potential of AI to enhance productivity, improve content quality, and democratize access to knowledge. At the same time, it underscores the need for responsible adoption to address ethical and equity challenges.

As AI continues to reshape education, Murthy’s experience offers a blueprint for educators, professionals, and policymakers. By embracing AI as an assistive tool, they can unlock new efficiencies while preserving the human essence of learning. In a world where time is a precious commodity, Murthy’s story reminds us that technology, when wielded wisely, can amplify our potential and pave the way for a brighter future.

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