Desk jobs will be replaced by robots, says Skild AI CEO Deepak Pathak

At the World Economic Forum 2026 in Davos, the conversation surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) has reached a fever pitch. Deepak Pathak, the CEO of Skild AI, shared his insights with Business Today, stating, "In the near future, we anticipate that enterprise-level roles will increasingly be filled by robots, surpassing current levels of automation." Pathak emphasized the existence of over a million unfilled positions worldwide, pointing out that many of these roles are often undesirable to potential candidates. He noted that Skild AI is actively working to bridge this employment gap by leveraging robotic technology. In addition to discussing job automation, Pathak addressed the competition between India and China in hardware manufacturing. He pointed out that, as global trade demands rise, countries are becoming more dependent on China for essential supply chains, rare earth materials, and electronics. However, he remarked, "The global landscape is searching for a new manufacturing center beyond China," and highlighted India's potential as a strong contender due to its robust automotive manufacturing sector and established electronics supply chain. While Pathak acknowledged that no single country has yet dominated robotics manufacturing, he affirmed that Skild AI is committed to fostering this ecosystem. The company recently made headlines by securing $1.4 billion in funding on January 14, 2026, led by SoftBank and supported by notable investors such as NVentures (NVIDIA), Macquarie Capital, and Jeff Bezos, elevating its valuation to over $14 billion. As Skild AI embarks on a new phase, it aims to develop a versatile brain for robots capable of performing diverse tasks. Since its inception in July 2024, the company has attracted significant investment, including $300 million in Series A funding from prominent backers like Lightspeed Venture Partners, Coatue, SoftBank Group, and Bezos Expeditions. This positions Skild AI as a formidable player in the tech AI startup arena.