The Great Confidence Divide
A new survey has cast a spotlight on the dual realities of India's workforce in the age of AI. The study, conducted in July 2026 by the anonymous professional network Blind, polled 1,552 professionals across the country and uncovered a surprising paradox.
While many assumed that roles focused on building AI would be the safest, 66% of professionals in AI and Machine Learning (AI/ML) roles reported expecting layoffs in their teams in the near future. This level of anxiety was second only to sales and marketing professionals, at 68%. In stark contrast, general engineering roles reported the highest levels of confidence. Only 24% of engineers said layoffs were ‘very likely,’ the lowest of any function surveyed. Professionals in data and analytics also appeared more optimistic, with a below-average 51% considering their teams at risk. This data suggests a fascinating inversion of expectations: the very people building the AI tools feel almost as vulnerable as those in roles expected to be disrupted, while traditional engineers and data analysts feel comparatively secure.
Why Engineers Feel Secure
The confidence among engineers seems rooted in a fundamental belief that their skills are becoming more valuable, not less. While generative AI can automate routine coding, it cannot replicate the complex problem-solving, system architecture, and critical judgment that define senior engineering work. Instead of a replacement, they see AI as a powerful assistant—a tool that handles repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on higher-value strategic challenges. This perspective is backed by broader market trends. A 2026 PwC report found that roles most exposed to AI are evolving to demand more human expertise, not less. The skills that are becoming more valuable are precisely those that engineers cultivate: judgment, collaboration, and adaptability. They are not just writing code; they are orchestrating complex systems, a skill that AI currently augments rather than automates. Their confidence is less about the specific tools they use and more about their foundational ability to think critically and build solutions, regardless of the technology.
The Anxiety Gripping Other Professions
The anxiety reported by a majority of professionals, including those in AI-specific roles, stems from a different perception. For many in fields like marketing, product design, and even AI/ML, the fear is that AI is democratizing their core functions, making specialized expertise less critical. The Blind survey showed high levels of layoff concern among product and design teams (65%) and sales and marketing teams (68%). This anxiety is fueled by the rapid pace of change and the visibility of AI tools that can generate content, designs, and even strategic plans. For AI/ML professionals specifically, the worry may be tied to the intense competition and the high rate of change within the field itself. As companies pour resources into AI, they are also constantly re-evaluating their strategies, leading to restructuring and a focus on only the most impactful roles. For many, the ground feels unstable because the skills that were cutting-edge just a year ago may already be commonplace.
From AI-Reliant to AI-Native
The challenge for India's workforce is to move from being simply AI-reliant to becoming truly AI-native. A July 2026 report from Nasscom warned that while many young professionals use AI tools, only a fraction possess the deep technical and critical thinking skills to innovate with them. The report noted that while about two-thirds of the young tech workforce are 'AI-proficient,' only 23% qualify as 'AI-native,' possessing the skills to build and strategically deploy AI systems. The path forward lies in adopting an engineer's mindset. This involves not just learning to use AI prompts but understanding the principles behind the technology. It means focusing on skills that AI complements, such as creativity, strategic thinking, and emotional intelligence. For companies, the focus must shift to upskilling. Microsoft's 2025 Work Trend Index found that 93% of Indian leaders expect to use AI to support employees, signaling a massive push toward human-AI collaboration. This requires a commitment to retraining the workforce to focus on orchestration and judgment rather than routine execution.
