Question · Q2 2026
Yu Wai Lee from Guggenheim Partners inquired about the reasons for a step down in utilization despite increased subcontractor usage, seeking clarification on potential skill or pyramid gaps. He also asked for details on Infosys's 'forward-deployed engineers,' comparing them to similar teams in software companies and addressing potential higher costs or talent competition.
Answer
CEO Salil Parekh and CFO Jayesh Sanghrajka clarified that subcontractor mix has decreased from 11% to 7.5-8% and is primarily used to bridge project-specific skill gaps, with no expectation of significant future increases. Mr. Parekh and CDO Satish HC explained that forward-deployed engineers are specialized teams crucial for co-creating new AI-driven software stacks with clients, especially in moving from POCs to enterprise-scale adoption, without commenting on specific cost differentials.