Congress MPs have raised concerns about the potential impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the workforce, particularly vulnerable workers and women. At a recent roundtable conference in Goa, Bhuvanagiri Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy emphasized the need for increased government investment in skills development to help workers compete with AI.
The MPs stressed the importance of collaboration between industry, government, and educational institutions to mitigate job displacement caused by AI. They highlighted the need for stronger social security frameworks to protect vulnerable workers, particularly those in informal employment.
To address these challenges, the government has already initiated several programs, including the Skill India Mission, which includes AI training modules, and FutureSkills PRIME, which offers experiential training under industry leaders. Additionally, the Atal Tinkering Labs program provides AI, robotics, and coding labs in over 10,000 schools, and the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 integrates AI and digital literacy into the curriculum.
The MPs proposed that the government invest in upskilling programs that help workers develop skills complementary to AI. They also emphasized the need for industry-academia collaboration to drive innovation and job creation. By taking proactive steps to address the impact of AI, the government can help ensure that workers are equipped to thrive in an increasingly automated workforce.
