AI disrupts jobs, demands skill evolution
UTTAR PRADESH, INDIA – In India, more known for its robust IT industry, artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are shaking the foundations of the job market. The wave of technological advancements threatens to make obsolete certain roles that once defined this sector.
For years, signs have been on the horizon, with the transition from specialized webmasters to more generalized roles in content management systems marking an early indicator of the shifts to come.
Now, a significant portion of data collection and processing jobs are becoming redundant, pushing professionals to adapt or risk irrelevance.
Emerging roles require creativity and problem-solving
The evolution of technology also presents new opportunities. Sectors like infrastructure, healthcare, and green energy are expected to generate over 800 million new jobs, potentially offsetting the losses.
While AI can crunch data and identify patterns, it lacks imagination. India’s vibrant startup ecosystem – with over 3,000 deep tech startups today and a projected 10,000 by 2030 – requires solving complex, non-routine problems that cannot be automated.
There will be an increased demand for social, emotional, and higher-order cognitive skills such as communication, empathy, critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Revamping education for the future workforce
India’s education system needs to shift from an overly theoretical curriculum to an experiential model promoting curiosity, experimentation, and hands-on learning. This approach aims to prepare students for seamless transitions from academic settings to dynamic professional environments.
Classrooms must transform into collaborative spaces where students form interdisciplinary connections and test concepts, build prototypes, and solve real-life problems.
In summary, while AI disrupts jobs, it creates opportunities for those with creativity, problem-solving abilities, and interdisciplinary skills nurtured through revamped education focused on experiential learning.
