Meet Erik Schwartz, the Chief AI Officer at Tricon Infotech and SaaS66 Judge

I’m Erik Schwartz, the Chief AI Officer at Tricon Infotech, with over 20 years of experience at the intersection of AI, information retrieval, and knowledge discovery. Throughout my career, I’ve remained passionate about leveraging technology to push the boundaries of innovation, particularly in platform development and integrating AI to make search and knowledge discovery experiences smarter, more accurate and more intuitive.

I’ve had the privilege of leading high-performing teams at companies such as Elsevier, Comcast and Microsoft, leading essential projects in AI, search, recommendations, and data. A momentous accomplishment in my career was leading the Scopus AI project at Elsevier, where we revolutionized the way people interact with and trust academic and scientific information by integrating LLMs into the discovery experience.

At Tricon, my mission is to craft comprehensive AI strategies that not only demystify the technology but also empower businesses to harness AI’s transformative potential. I am committed to driving growth and ensuring organizations remain competitive in an ever-evolving tech landscape.
 

Tell us about Tricon

 
Tricon Infotech is a leading product development company dedicated to helping globally recognised brands unlock the business value of their content and data. We specialise in delivering efficient, automated solutions and full-scale digital transformations tailored to our clients’ unique needs. Since our founding in 1997, we’ve partnered with companies across diverse industries—such as publishing, finance, edtech, and legal—to build custom products and streamline their operations.

At Tricon, we are committed to an outcome-driven business model, ensuring we deliver tangible results that help clients go to market quickly and successfully. Our expertise spans a wide range of solutions, including e-commerce platforms, advanced analytics, AI-powered learning tools, and robust backend systems. With headquarters in Bangalore, India, and offices in the U.S. and U.K., we are well-positioned to support businesses around the world on their digital transformation journeys.
 

What Are You Looking For From This Year’s SaaS66 Entrants? 

 
Generative AI has made a significant impact since the launch of ChatGPT 3.5 in November 2022, yet most of the applications we’ve seen so far are essentially wrappers around the underlying models. Now, as we approach two years into this wave of AI development, it’s time to shift focus toward driving real, measurable business value.

This year, I’m particularly interested in seeing SaaS66 entrants that go beyond surface-level implementations and deliver solutions that solve real business problems. The applications need to have a clear understanding of the problem they are addressing, and, just as importantly, they must outline how success will be measured. I’m looking for solutions that bring tangible, data-driven results, not just innovative features for the sake of novelty.
 

What Advice Would You Give Entrants To Help Them Stand Out From The Crowd? 

 
To truly stand out, entrants need to rethink how AI is integrated into their tools, workflows, and overall product development. AI shouldn’t be added as an afterthought or simply where it’s convenient. Instead, it should be thoughtfully incorporated at every element of the product experience to maximise impact and user engagement.

It’s also crucial to be crystal clear about your unique selling proposition (USP) and what differentiates your solution in a crowded marketplace. The applications should be fast, concise, and most importantly, add meaningful value to the user. Additionally, pay close attention to ease of use—whether it’s simplifying onboarding or helping users quickly achieve their desired outcomes. A streamlined, intuitive experience is key to making a lasting impression.
 

Any Further Thoughts To Share?

 
One of the most exciting opportunities in today’s tech space is finding new ways to incorporate AI that go beyond the typical implementations we’ve seen. Rather than just applying AI where it’s easiest, think about how it can be embedded into the deeper layers of your product, transforming not just what it does, but how it functions.

Be creative and explore the untapped potential of AI across different facets of your solution—whether that’s in customer interactions, backend processes, or even in reshaping entire workflows. Innovation isn’t just about solving problems in new ways, it’s about pushing AI’s boundaries to deliver smarter, more integrated solutions that provide real, lasting impact.