Anxiety at the AI Frontier
Common wisdom suggests that in an AI-driven world, the safest place to be is building the AI itself. However, a July 2026 survey of Indian professionals paints a more complicated picture. According to a report by Blind, an anonymous professional network,
a staggering 66% of professionals working in AI and Machine Learning (ML) roles expect layoffs or significant headcount reductions in their teams within the next six months.. This places them among the most anxious groups in the tech sector, nearly on par with sales and marketing professionals, where 68% expressed similar fears.. This counterintuitive finding suggests that being close to the centre of the AI boom does not automatically translate to job security. The very people creating the disruptive tools feel nearly as vulnerable as those in roles most likely to be disrupted by automation.
The Confidence of the Core Engineer
In stark contrast to the anxiety felt by AI/ML specialists, the survey highlights a pocket of robust confidence among traditional engineering and data roles. While 58% of engineers fell into the survey's broad 'at-risk' category, only 24% believed layoffs were 'very likely' — the lowest of any function surveyed.. Data and analytics teams appeared even more optimistic. Just 51% considered their teams at risk, and a full 40% stated that layoffs were unlikely, representing the highest share of confidence recorded.. This reveals a critical distinction: professionals whose roles are focused on applying AI and data as tools to build products or solve business problems feel more secure than those working on the AI models themselves. Their confidence stems from being the indispensable 'human in the loop', using AI to augment their foundational skills rather than being replaced by it.
A 'Two-Track' Labour Market Emerges
This divergence in sentiment can be explained by what analysts at PwC call the emergence of a 'two-track' job market.. In this new landscape, AI is not just eliminating jobs; it is fundamentally reshaping them into two categories. The first track consists of 'professionalised' roles, where AI acts as a co-pilot, handling routine tasks and allowing workers to focus on complex problem-solving, creativity, and strategic judgment. These roles, like those of many engineers and data scientists, are seeing faster growth and higher wages.. The second track involves 'democratised' roles, where AI simplifies complex tasks to the point that deep expertise is no longer required. While this can open up opportunities for less-skilled workers, it also erodes the value and security of the original expert. The anxiety seen among some AI/ML professionals may stem from a fear that their specific function is becoming democratised, while the confidence of engineers suggests they see their roles becoming increasingly professionalised.
Bridging the Gap Through Applied Skills
The path from anxiety to confidence lies in navigating this new landscape effectively, and for the Indian workforce, the key is upskilling with a focus on application. Reports from Deloitte show that India's younger workers are already leaning in, with Gen Z (85%) and Millennials (91%) expressing high confidence in using AI at work, well above global averages.. This enthusiasm is crucial, as employers are desperately seeking talent that can do more than just understand AI concepts. According to the India Skills Report 2026, over 90% of employees are using generative AI, yet a huge majority of employers struggle to find talent with demonstrable, practical AI skills.. NASSCOM has also warned against building a workforce that is merely 'AI-reliant' instead of 'AI-native,' stressing the need to deepen engineering judgment and problem-solving abilities.. The opportunity is clear: for individuals and the nation, security and growth will come from mastering the ability to use AI as a tool to amplify human intelligence.
