The Surprising Anxiety of AI Experts
A July 2026 survey of 1,552 Indian tech professionals by the anonymous networking platform Blind has unearthed a startling paradox: those working at the cutting edge of technology are among the most worried about their jobs. The poll revealed that 66%
of employees in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) roles expect a layoff or significant headcount reduction in their team within the next three to six months. This level of apprehension is second only to sales and marketing professionals, where 68% feel their jobs are at risk. The findings challenge the widely held belief that transitioning into an AI-focused role is a guaranteed safeguard against industry disruption. Even those building the tools of the future feel nearly as vulnerable as those in roles traditionally seen as susceptible to automation.
Reading the 'Quiet Signs'
The pervasive fear isn't necessarily being driven by formal layoff announcements. In fact, only 9% of respondents who felt at risk pointed to official company statements as the cause for their concern. Instead, employees are interpreting more subtle, 'quiet signs' from management. The most significant indicators, according to the survey, are hiring freezes (cited by 27% of worried employees) and cuts to budgets or headcount targets (24%). These behind-the-scenes adjustments, along with the cancellation of projects, are seen as stronger signals of impending workforce reductions than public declarations. This reflects a broader trend of 'silent layoffs,' where companies reduce their workforce through performance-related exits and natural attrition rather than large, public cuts.
Engineers Report a Glimmer of Confidence
While anxiety is widespread, it is not evenly distributed across all functions. General engineers reported significantly lower levels of concern compared to their peers in AI/ML. Overall, 58% of engineers felt their team was at risk, which is below the survey's average. Furthermore, only 24% of engineers believed a job cut was 'very likely,' the lowest proportion of any function surveyed. Employees in data and analytics roles appeared even more optimistic, with an at-risk sentiment of 51% and nearly four in ten calling a cut unlikely—the highest level of confidence recorded in the poll. This suggests that while AI is changing the nature of technical work, core engineering and data analysis skills remain highly valued and are perceived as more stable.
The Great Skill Reset
The current anxiety is not just about job losses, but a fundamental shift in the skills required to thrive. The era of mass hiring for generalist coders to expand bench strength is fading. Companies are grappling with a market correction after the hiring surges during the pandemic and are now focused on productivity gains. According to a Nomura report, AI is creating a two-tiered labour market: demand for entry-level roles is declining as routine tasks become automated, while the need for experienced, specialised talent remains strong. In fact, one survey of Indian IT firms showed that 55% reported a drop in entry-level hiring. The jobs being created, often in areas like AI model evaluation and data annotation, require different competencies than the traditional IT roles they are displacing. This has created a skills gap, where there is high demand for AI-fluent professionals but a shortage of qualified candidates.
Navigating the New Normal
The consensus among experts is that resilience in this new environment depends on deliberate and continuous upskilling. For years, a tech career in India followed a predictable path, but that script is being rewritten. The focus has shifted decisively toward skill-based hiring, where practical project experience in high-demand areas like cloud platforms, cybersecurity, and AI integration is paramount. Professionals are advised to move beyond generalist roles and build deep expertise in a durable specialisation. The key takeaway is that roles are evolving rather than simply disappearing. Success is no longer about just writing code, but about using AI-powered tools to accelerate development and solve complex problems, a shift that is causing significant stress and anxiety but also creating new opportunities for those willing to adapt.
