- AI will transform India's IT workforce without causing major job losses, say MeitY Secretary
- AI adoption will create around 4 million new jobs, per a NITI Aayog study
- Significant investment in reskilling is needed for workforce adaptation to AI roles
Artificial intelligence is set to fundamentally reshape India's IT workforce, but fears of widespread job losses may be overstated, according to Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Secretary S Krishnan. Instead, the focus is shifting toward reskilling workers and attracting large-scale investments to strengthen India's AI ecosystem.
"The nature of jobs in the IT sector will evolve with AI adoption, but overall employment is unlikely to decline," Krishnan told NDTV Profit at the India AI Summit 2026. He pointed to a recent NITI Aayog study that estimates AI could generate as many as 4 million additional jobs in India in the coming years.
The transition, however, will require significant investment in upskilling and reskilling initiatives to ensure the workforce can adapt to new roles created by automation and AI-led productivity gains.
Investment Momentum Builds in India
India is also seeing strong investment momentum, with both global and domestic players committing fresh capital toward AI infrastructure and development. "A large number of investments are being announced, and some have indicated plans to put in more," Krishnan said, adding that India is optimistic about attracting up to $200 billion in AI-related investments over time.
Major technology firms, including Amazon, have already made significant commitments, reinforcing India's position as a key global hub for AI innovation and deployment. These investments are expected to strengthen India's computing infrastructure, accelerate AI adoption across industries, and support the development of indigenous AI capabilities.
Krishnan also highlighted the overwhelming response to AI-focused initiatives, including strong participation at public events such as the ongoing India AI Impact Summit. "The response has been remarkable, and public participation has been very encouraging," he said. Authorities have implemented measures to manage attendance and ensure safety, advising participants to arrive early due to capacity constraints.
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