Athira Sethu
Kochi, 19 February 2025
The rapid development of AI is transforming industries across the globe with India not spared. With the population of a huge number of diverse workforces, a challenge and opportunity presents itself with the greater use of AI in India. So, therefore, the big question remains: Is the rapid advancement of AI going to lead to job options in India’s job market?
AI’s Impact on Jobs in India
India’s agriculture, manufacturing, retail, and customer service involve large-scale employment. Almost every one of these areas is going to be affected by AI on account of some element of routine or low-skilled tasks. For instance, in the manufacturing sector, robots and AI-enabled machines have taken over tasks that would traditionally require human workers like assembly, packaging, and sorting of objects. In the service field, chatbots and virtual assistants have taken over inquiries, effectively removing the need for human agents in call centers.
Because the economy of India is mainly labor-intensive, this could lead to various job losses for workers mostly working in data entry, telemarketing, and assembly lines. Scraps of work in these areas are mostly entry-level jobs. Since AI has been on the ascendancy in terms of skill development, there is a high possibility that in most cases, machines will replace humans to cut expenses and boost productivity.
Emerging Opportunities in AI
While AI may automate existing jobs, it will also create new jobs for workers willing to adapt. These high-tech jobs make demands for AI programming, machine learning, data science, and robotics. As such, the creation of new jobs will continue to arise as machine learning brings with it a plethora of roles needing qualified professionals able to manage, maintain, monitor, and fix the systems.
The high-skilled labor is evident in India, with huge investments from many IT organizations into the skill upgrading of its employable strength. With proper education and training, workers in India could move to a new world of technology, leading to AI. As the world’s dependence on AI is expected to grow, new tech jobs bedecking these roles are inherently expected to burgeon as an opportunity for skilled workers.
The Role of Skill Development
The future of India would benefit much from proper attention to skill development. A huge chunk of the Indian population may need to boost their skills to avail themselves of AI opportunities. Collaboration among the government, business, and educational institutes to deliver training and educational programs is required. These should be programs focused on digital literacy, coding, and other technical skills meant to help people become suitable in a labor market where such skill sets are in high demand.
Upskilling initiatives can help workers who are currently in low-skilled jobs to move into higher-paying and more secure roles. By learning skills in areas like AI programming, robotics, and data analysis, workers can become part of India’s growing tech industry and contribute to national economic development.
In India, the rising tide of AI is likely to trigger job losses in spheres where tasks are repetitive and the automation of those tasks is possible. The emergence of AI, however, also opens the doors to new opportunities in technology and advanced industries. Through prioritizing education, training, and upskilling, India can ensure workers will be prepared for the future and benefit from the opportunities AI will create. Rather than defensively wondering how many jobs will be lost, India should embrace the change that AI presents by upskilling workers to build a sharper, competitive force.
