“The key to winning with AI is not to fear automation but to reimagine human potential.” - Andrew Ng, Co-founder of Coursera and Google Brain
AI reshaping India’s tech employment landscape
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is set to redefine India’s tech workforce in the coming decade. According to a NITI Aayog report, the rise of AI could displace nearly two million tech jobs by 2031. However, the same technology may also generate up to four million new employment opportunities through new roles and industries that emerge from this transformation.
Balancing automation and opportunity
NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam emphasized that job profiles are shifting rapidly. While some roles may disappear, others will evolve or emerge entirely new. He cautioned that doing nothing in response to AI-driven change could worsen job losses, underscoring the urgency for reskilling, innovation, and coordination among policymakers and industry leaders.
Preparing India’s workforce for AI
To tackle the disruption, the government plans to launch a National AI Talent Mission aimed at transforming India into a global AI workforce hub. The mission, in collaboration with NASSCOM, BCG, and the Frontier Tech Hub, focuses on aligning academia, government, and private industry to develop AI-ready talent and innovators.
Industry’s response and reskilling needs
With reports of mass layoffs in IT firms, leaders stress the importance of reskilling and digital transformation. Subrahmanyam highlighted that India’s vast pool of nine million tech professionals can adapt if guided by vision and urgency. The report notes that the world’s largest youth population positions India uniquely for this transition.
Charting India’s AI future
The roadmap outlines India’s path toward becoming a trusted global AI innovation partner by 2035. The focus remains on creating actionable policies to convert disruption into growth and ensuring no section of the workforce is left behind in the AI revolution.
Summary
AI may displace two million tech jobs in India but could create up to four million new roles by 2031. NITI Aayog’s National AI Talent Mission aims to prepare India’s workforce through reskilling, innovation, and collaboration among academia, industry, and government.
Food for thought
Can India’s education and corporate systems reskill fast enough to stay ahead of AI’s job disruptions?
AI concept to learn: AI Talent Mission
An AI Talent Mission is a coordinated national effort to build a skilled AI workforce. It connects academia, government, and industry to create training programs, promote innovation, and ensure a country’s workforce remains competitive in the evolving AI economy.
[The Billion Hopes Research Team shares the latest AI updates for learning and awareness. This is not a professional, financial, personal or medical advice. Please consult domain experts before making decisions. Feedback welcome!]
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