5 Key Takeaways
- AI and new-age technologies are expected to impact over 1.8 crore jobs in India by 2030, mainly in Manufacturing, Retail, and Education sectors.
- The Manufacturing sector will be the hardest hit, with 80 lakh jobs at risk, followed by Retail (76 lakh) and Education (25 lakh).
- High-automation roles like change managers and payroll clerks are most vulnerable to being redefined or replaced by AI.
- AI is also projected to create 30 lakh new jobs in technology fields and will 'redefine' over 1.35 crore existing roles.
- Indian companies are prioritizing AI adoption, with 13.5% of tech budgets allocated to it, highlighting the urgent need for reskilling and strategic workforce planning.
Are 1.8 Crore Jobs in India at Risk Because of AI? Here’s What You Need to Know
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other new-age technologies are changing the way we work, and a recent report suggests that this could put as many as 1.8 crore (18 million) jobs in India at risk by 2030. But what does this really mean for you and me? Let’s break it down.
Which Sectors Will Be Most Affected?
According to the report, three major sectors are likely to feel the biggest impact:
- Manufacturing: This sector is expected to be hit the hardest, with around 80 lakh (8 million) jobs at risk. Many manufacturing jobs involve repetitive tasks, which AI and robots can do faster and more accurately.
- Retail: About 76 lakh (7.6 million) jobs in retail could be affected. Think of cashiers, inventory managers, and other roles that can be automated.
- Education: Even the education sector isn’t safe, with 25 lakh (2.5 million) jobs potentially impacted. AI-powered tools can now help with grading, lesson planning, and even tutoring.
Who Will Be Affected the Most?
Jobs that involve a lot of routine work—like payroll clerks or change managers—are most at risk. These are called “high-automation” roles, and AI can easily take over their day-to-day tasks.
However, not all jobs are in danger. Some roles, like system administrators or implementation consultants, will actually work alongside AI, using it as a tool to do their jobs better. These are called “high-augmentation” roles.
What About the IT Sector?
Even big IT companies are feeling the heat. For example, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest IT company, recently announced it would lay off about 12,000 employees (2% of its workforce) in the 2025-26 financial year. Most of these job cuts will be in middle and senior management, as the company shifts focus to AI and new technologies.
Is There Any Good News?
Yes! While some jobs will disappear, AI is also expected to create new opportunities. Sumeet Mathur, Managing Director of Servicenow India, says that AI could create up to 30 lakh (3 million) new tech jobs by 2030. Plus, over 1.35 crore (13.5 million) existing roles will be “redefined”—meaning people will need to learn new skills and adapt to new ways of working.
What Should We Do?
The key takeaway is that change is coming, and it’s coming fast. To stay ahead, workers and companies need to focus on learning new skills, especially those related to technology and AI. India has a huge opportunity to lead the world in this area—if we’re ready to adapt.
So, while the numbers might sound scary, there’s also a lot of hope—if we’re willing to learn and grow with the times.
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