'AI won't replace you, someone who knows AI will': Microsoft India chief on job loss fears

Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia, recently addressed the future of employment in the wake of advancing artificial intelligence. He emphasized that while AI itself will not cause job losses, individuals who do not adapt to using AI tools could find themselves outpaced by those who do. "My biggest concern isn't about jobs disappearing; it's about our ability to progress in India," Chandok stated during the India Today AI Summit. With an ambitious goal of scaling AI proficiency to 20 million people in the coming years, he stressed the need for further efforts to uplift a billion Indians through AI. Chandok pointed out the necessity for professionals to become adept at utilizing AI technologies. "It's not AI that will take jobs; it's the individuals who master AI who will gain the upper hand," he cautioned. This highlights the urgency for workforce adaptation in an AI-driven landscape. In his session titled Life, Work, Home: Atmanirbhar AI, Chandok elaborated on the concept of self-reliant AI for India. He described Atmanirbhar AI as the development and utilization of AI systems tailored specifically to meet India’s unique economic and social challenges. He noted that India is transitioning from being merely a consumer of global AI technologies to becoming a significant contributor and exporter of innovative AI solutions. Chandok defined technological independence not as detaching from global ecosystems but as cultivating strong domestic capabilities built upon global platforms, ensuring that innovations align with national interests. "Atmanirbhar AI aims to empower individuals, organizations, and government entities across India to leverage AI for greater achievements," he stated. He also highlighted the transformative impact of AI on various sectors, illustrating how AI tools are improving educational outcomes for students, expediting disease diagnosis for healthcare professionals, and enabling entrepreneurs and MSMEs to scale up their businesses effectively. Chandok emphasized that AI applications in India must tackle pressing challenges such as enhancing healthcare access, boosting agricultural productivity, and fostering financial inclusion. Chandok expressed optimism about India's potential to emerge as a leader in the global AI landscape, citing the country's extensive talent pool, vibrant market, and strong digital infrastructure. He pointed to India's achievements in large-scale digital initiatives like identity verification and payment systems as evidence of its capability to implement technology effectively. The next phase, he argued, involves integrating AI into these platforms and creating AI models that resonate with India's diverse linguistic and cultural landscape.