Artificial Intelligence (AI) has transformed businesses the world over – and India is no exception. According to a report by EY India, the adoption of AI may transform 3.8 crore job roles in India by 2030, leading to a 2.61% uptick in productivity. Professionals also view AI positively – a 2023 survey revealed that 51% of Indian employees were positive about the role that AI would play in increasing productivity at work.
AI, however, also raises profound issues regarding the future of work, especially in the technology sector. In the context of India, the tech sector is a major economic growth driver and source of jobs. It is, hence important to comprehend the role of AI. Lakhs are employed in the Indian tech sector and any shift in employment patterns there can have long-term effects on livelihoods.
How AI is reshaping tech jobs
The effect of artificial intelligence on the technology labour force is complex. On one hand, it automates repetitive and monotonous work, lowering the demand for human engagement, but on the other, it generates new work opportunities that demand higher skills in AI development, machine learning, data science, etc.
A World Economic Forum (WEF) report states that AI will lead to the creation of 17 crore jobs while displacing 9.2 crore jobs by 2030, an increase of 7.8 crore jobs. Though tasks like software testing or coding will be doable with AI tools, businesses will need experts to build, manage and ethically monitor AI models. This transition is leading to a transformation of skill requirements, with a greater need for people who can translate technology into business strategy.
The rise of new tech roles
As artificial intelligence technologies are developing, they are creating new professions that had not existed before a decade ago. Among such emerging professions in the tech industry are:
- AI and machine learning engineers: Technicians who design AI algorithms and machine learning models to solve advanced problems.
- Data scientists and analysts: Experts able to analyse big data and conclude actionable conclusions in order to influence business strategies.
- AI ethicists: Professionals who ensure AI systems are designed and used according to ethical standards, free from bias and fair in their operation.
- Automation specialists: Experts who assist companies in automating processes through the use of AI-based applications, thereby improving efficiency in operations.
- AI trainers and data annotators: People who train AI systems by providing them with labeled data and refining models for better performance.
For Indian technology professionals, learning these skills can lead to high-paying career prospects. According to a report, 27.3 lakh new technology jobs are expected to be created in India by 2028, mainly fueled by AI developments.
Balancing automation with human expertise
Even though AI can do things like data analysis, coding, and customer service, AI lacks the creativity, empathy, and critical thinking that humans possess. It will not be humans against machines in the future of work in the technology sector but humans and AI collaborating together.
For instance, AI systems may quickly generate code snippets behind a layer of developers to ensure that they keep watch over them, repair deep-rooted bugs, and graft AI-generated code into complete systems. Likewise, AI can program customer service to use chatbots but still retain human agents’ requirements whenever something complicated that would demand empathetic listening comes about. This requirement for a blend of artificial and human intelligence is creating a need for “fusion jobs”. Through these jobs, professionals use AI technology to automate repetitive tasks while focusing on more cerebral tasks.
The need for skill development
As AI transforms tech careers, the skill sets required for professionals are also evolving. While traditional coding and software development skills are still necessary, there is a growing emphasis on skills such as data analytics, machine learning, AI ethics, and digital transformation strategy.
A 2024 survey indicates that while 81% of IT professionals believe that they have the skills to use AI, only 12% actually possess them. In a bid to cover this gap, schools, businesses, and governmental initiatives are concentrating on upskilling and reskilling programs.
For instance, India’s Skill India Mission is facilitating AI learning through collaboration with technology firms and online learning platforms. One can also choose to complete certification courses and participate in boot camps to develop skills in AI and its applications.
Addressing challenges in AI-driven employment
The most significant issues that AI presents to the tech workforce are:
- Job displacement: Automation can displace jobs that consist of repetitive work, including data entry, routine coding, and IT support.
- Income inequality: While high-skilled tech professionals profit from AI, low-skilled employees may end up being job insecure, broadening the income disparity.
- Bias and equity: The AI systems applied to hiring and performance assessments should be unbiased to maintain justice in the treatment of employees.
- Workplace adaptation: Companies need to create a culture that embraces AI, providing training and support to help employees adapt to new technologies.
Conclusion
Although AI threatens jobs by being able to automate mundane and repetitive tasks, it also presents new opportunities that need complex thinking and evolving skill sets. For Indian professionals, especially those working in industries such as financial services and e-commerce, staying on top of AI can open up lucrative career pathways.
Companies can also gain. As a case in point, an NBFC employing AI software to make loans can automate most of the process by using AI while preparing employees to oversee and control the AI system. An online marketplace curating individualised shopping experiences for its users based on AI can hedge between process automation and human creativity in product development and promotion. The future lies in a hybrid model where human talents are enhanced via the power of AI.
For employees, the secret to succeeding in an AI-dominated future is adaptability. Through constantly being updated and knowing what’s happening, regularly up-skilling, and keeping an open mind, both companies and individuals can leverage AI’s power while still holding on to the human element that is irreplaceable in the workplace.
