How Indian and global CEOs are reacting to AI's growing impact on jobs
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer just a buzzword. It is already changing how industries operate and how people work. As this shift continues, several Indian and global CEOs are speaking openly about what AI means for jobs and the future of work.
Hitesh Oberoi, CEO of Info Edge, which runs the job portal Naukri.com, recently shared his views on X. He said AI is not just about cutting jobs but about changing the kind of work people will do. According to him, the focus now should be on building new skills.
'For job seekers, the message is clear: Develop skills that complement AI rather than compete with it. Problem solving, creativity, domain expertise, and AI literacy will be far more valuable than routine skills that can be automated. Continuous learning is no longer optional,' he wrote.
Sridhar Vembu, CEO of software company Zoho, shared a more urgent view. He pointed to the rise of large language models (LLM) and new software tools as a serious challenge for people working in tech. 'The productivity revolution I see coming to software development (LLMs + tooling) could destroy a lot of software jobs. This is sobering but necessary to internalise,' he said on X.
Outside India, global tech leaders are expressing similar concerns. Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt said professionals in many fields, including art and medicine, could become irrelevant if they do not adapt to AI. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang also believes that people who avoid learning AI could lose their jobs to those who do not.
At the Milken Institute's Global Conference 2025, Huang said AI will be part of nearly every industry. He said the only way to stay ahead is to learn how to work with it. Both Schmidt and Huang believe that refusing to engage with AI could limit career growth in the years ahead.
These concerns are backed by data. In April, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development warned that up to 40% of jobs across the world could be affected by AI. A report by McKinsey & Company also estimated that between 400 million and 800 million jobs could be displaced over the next five years. It said many workers may need to move into completely new roles.In India, the worry is just as strong. Microsoft's Work Trend Index 2023 found that 74% of Indian employees fear that AI could make their jobs unnecessary. The Economic Survey 2024-25 also raised similar points and called attention to the speed at which AI is transforming the labour market.
Not every CEO is rushing to increase use of AI. Klarna Group, a fintech company, has decided to scale back its AI-based customer service. CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski said the model led to a drop in service quality and the company is now adjusting its approach. Across the board, CEOs agree that AI will play a big role in shaping the future of work. Some see it as a chance to boost productivity. Others see it as a risk to current job structures. What is clear is that people who want to stay relevant in the job market will need to learn, adapt and keep pace with the change.
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