Fears about AI taking jobs often overshadow bigger issue: how India can ready its workforce and schools for AI-driven future . At Hindu Huddle's “I, Robot: How AI is reshaping the future of work,” industry leaders called for overhaul of education,skills training, and business practices to tackle AI challenges.
Raghuvir Srinivasan,editor of Businessline,moderated panel with former Cognizant CEO Lakshmi Narayanan, former NASSCOM president Debjani Ghosh,and former Saint-Gobain India chairman B. Santhanam. Ghosh argued fears of AI job losses are often off-mark, noting many layoffs stem from pandemic overhiring. Current cuts more about market correction than AI.
But panelists agreed entry-level jobs face risks as AI takes over routine tasks. Ghosh said, “The entry-level will definitely get disrupted. And that is important because that’s millions of people in India and millions of youngsters in India.” She urged rethinking job structures,suggesting roles be broken into tasks — some for automation,others needing human insight.
This fits Ghosh's “human sandwich model,” with humans framing questions,AI doing tasks,humans verifying results. As AI grows more autonomous,model will be key for ensuring quality and accountability.
Discussion also touched on India's role in global AI space. Though India is a big digital market,Ghosh warned consuming tech doesn't mean creating value. Of projected $17.6 trillion AI value in next five years,80% expected to go to US and China. Ghosh urged India to target at least 10% of that value.
Santhanam had different take,suggesting India's strength might not be in competing with Silicon Valley but in using AI in key sectors like agriculture,education,and healthcare. He highlighted AI's potential to make big impacts there,stating,“The most important work is in diffusion in these three areas — agriculture, education and health.” He noted Indian AI solutions for agriculture quickly adapted for wider use .
Despite optimism,Santhanam worried about corporate leaders' tech ignorance. In Nifty 45,only 10% of independent directors know tech. “Not one company in the managing director’s report had AI mentioned. Not one. That’s shocking,” he said,pointing to governance gap as AI reshapes sectors.
Narayanan echoed concerns,asserting Indian schools aren't prepping grads for AI-driven jobs. He criticized private sector for skimping on research and innovation,crucial for tech leadership . “We are not investing enough in research,” he said,stressing need to move from tech adoption to driving innovation.
Panelists showed complex view of future. AI will disrupt jobs,especially entry-level,but also create new chances. Can India shift from tech consumer to value creator? Depends on reforming education,corporate governance,and workforce strategies to match tech's rapid pace…
