Artificial intelligence is transforming the workplace, but experts say the impact is less about machines replacing people and more about how jobs themselves are changing. Speaking to The Economic Times, industry leaders explained that AI is automating routine tasks while pushing human workers toward roles that require judgment, creativity, and complex decision-making. This shift is forcing companies to rethink job design rather than simply reduce headcount.
Several business leaders stressed that AI acts as a productivity enhancer rather than a pure job destroyer. Sanjeev Bikhchandani noted that many roles will be unbundled, with AI handling repetitive components and humans focusing on strategic and interpersonal aspects. As a result, continuous learning and the ability to work alongside AI tools are becoming essential skills for employees across industries.
Global studies reflect this nuanced picture. While automation is expected to displace millions of jobs worldwide, an even larger number of new roles could emerge in areas such as AI development, data analysis, cybersecurity, and human-AI collaboration. Economists describe this as job churn rather than collapse, with growing demand for analytical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence — areas where humans still hold an advantage.
At the same time, experts warn that the transition may widen inequality if reskilling opportunities are uneven. Organizations like the International Monetary Fund caution that workers in routine or mid-skill jobs face higher risks unless supported by training and policy interventions. Ensuring broad access to education, digital skills, and workplace adaptation will be key to making AI-driven change inclusive rather than disruptive.
