Following the incident, social media platforms have been inundated with discussions about the pressures faced by employees in high-stakes tech roles. Many users have alleged that Krutrim's work culture is marked by unrealistic expectations and inadequate support for mental well-being. These claims have intensified scrutiny of the company's internal practices.
Krutrim, co-founded by Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal, has been positioning itself as a major player in India's AI landscape. The company achieved unicorn status in early 2024, reflecting its rapid growth and ambitious goals. However, reports indicate that this expansion has been accompanied by significant turnover among senior staff. Over the past year, at least six executives, including vice presidents and directors, have departed from the company. Some of these exits occurred within months of their appointments, suggesting potential instability within the leadership ranks.
Former employees have described a work environment characterized by shifting priorities and high-pressure demands. One ex-staffer noted that teams were often expected to pivot quickly between projects, leading to confusion and missed targets. Such accounts have raised questions about the sustainability of Krutrim's operational strategies.
Despite these challenges, Krutrim continues to pursue its vision of developing a comprehensive AI ecosystem. The company has announced plans to invest ₹2,000 crore in its AI initiatives, with a commitment to increase this to ₹10,000 crore by the following year. Krutrim is also expanding its workforce, recruiting for positions in Bengaluru, the United States, and Singapore. Roles include research engineers and AI cloud platform specialists, indicating a focus on both technological advancement and global outreach.
In terms of product development, Krutrim has launched several AI models, including Krutrim 2 LLM, Chitrarth 1, and Dhwani. These models aim to cater to the diverse linguistic and cultural landscape of India. However, the company has faced criticism over the performance of its AI chatbot, which has exhibited inconsistencies and inaccuracies. In some instances, the chatbot erroneously attributed its development to OpenAI, highlighting potential issues with data training and model accuracy.