Infosys Chairman Nandan Nilekani rejects warnings that artificial intelligence will lead to widespread job losses. Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi on Oct. 13, he dismisses such claims as exaggerated, arguing that AI also creates new business and employment opportunities rather than simply replacing work.
His remarks come after IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva cautions that AI could affect around 40% of jobs worldwide. Nilekani says India is positioned to benefit from AI because it has deployed digital infrastructure at scale. He argues that AI adoption does not have to be “winner-take-all,” citing expectations of more available computing chips and a broader ecosystem of technology providers.
Nilekani also emphasizes that organizations should focus on deploying AI applications for large numbers of users, including through technology that supports governance and safeguards, not only model development. He suggests that automation of routine programming tasks can shift demand toward client engagement, organizational change, and technology implementation, and he highlights small businesses as a key source of future jobs.
