AI will reshape jobs, but India’s bigger challenge is preparing workers, boardrooms and classrooms

India’s debate on artificial intelligence has shifted from job displacement to preparation, with experts warning the country must adapt education, skilling, and business strategies to thrive in an AI-led economy. At *The Hindu Huddle*’s session on ‘I, Robot: How AI is reshaping the future of work,’ panelists including former Cognizant CEO Lakshmi Narayanan, former NASSCOM president Debjani Ghosh, and former Saint-Gobain India Chairman B Santhanam argued that India’s focus on AI-driven job losses is misplaced. Ghosh noted that recent job corrections stemmed from pandemic-era overhiring rather than AI adoption, but entry-level roles remain vulnerable as automation targets routine tasks. The panel proposed a ‘human sandwich model,’ where humans set tasks, AI processes them, and humans verify outcomes. Ghosh urged India to aim for 10% of the $17.6 trillion AI value predicted over the next five years, currently dominated by the U.S. and China. Santhanam highlighted India’s potential in AI diffusion across agriculture, education, and healthcare, citing scalable AI solutions in farming that have been adopted globally. Criticism was sharp toward corporate India’s lagging AI integration. Santhanam revealed that fewer than 10% of independent directors in Nifty 45 companies understand technology, with no mention of AI in managing directors’ reports. Narayanan blamed private sector underinvestment in research, stating Indian colleges are not producing AI-ready graduates. The discussion underscored India’s dual challenge: leveraging AI for economic growth while preparing its workforce and industries for disruption. Experts stressed that success hinges on policy shifts, corporate accountability, and a renewed focus on research and innovation.