India AI Impact Summit 2026: 'You'll be redundant if...,' Microsoft South Asia President explains how AI will change jobs

During the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia, emphasized that artificial intelligence (AI) will fundamentally reshape the job landscape, not by eliminating jobs but by redefining them. He cautioned that individuals who fail to adapt and acquire new skills risk becoming obsolete in this evolving environment. Chandok explained that jobs consist of various tasks, which AI will begin to separate. He noted, "AI will not kill jobs; AI will unbundle jobs." He illustrated this by describing how many daily activities—like sending emails or attending meetings—may feel like work but are often merely transactional. With AI taking over these routine tasks, workers will need to focus on refining their roles and enhancing their skills to remain relevant. He further elaborated on the changing nature of business dynamics, stating that companies will increasingly rely on purchasing intelligence rather than just hiring personnel. "Imagine a scenario where intelligence is abundant and easily accessible," he said, suggesting that this shift would revolutionize how businesses operate and make hiring decisions. Chandok also introduced the concept of "digital colleagues," referring to AI agents that will evolve from being mere tools to becoming teammates. "The real unlock will happen when AI integrates as a true collaborator in our workspaces," he said, highlighting that these advanced AI agents possess the ability to perceive, reason, and act autonomously, transforming the traditional work model. He predicted that the rise of such intelligent agents would disrupt the so-called "inefficiency economy," where profits are tied to billable hours rather than actual outcomes. "With AI, we’ll move away from time-based billing towards a model focused on results," he added, noting that the efficiency of AI could challenge existing revenue structures in various sectors, from legal to healthcare.