The Good News: More Jobs Created Than Lost
First, the encouraging part. A recent report from Nomura highlights that AI is currently a net job creator in India. The analysis, covering the period from 2022 to August 2026, found that India added approximately 83,100 AI-related jobs, significantly
outpacing the 31,921 roles lost due to AI-linked layoffs and attrition. This translates to roughly 2.6 new jobs for every one job impacted, a statistic that offers a dose of optimism against a backdrop of automation anxiety. These new roles are not just for data scientists; they span across IT services and other sectors where companies are desperate for talent that can leverage AI for growth. This boom makes India 'ground zero' for understanding AI's employment impact, as its vast tech services and BPO industries are on the front lines of this transformation.
The Complication: A Market of Mismatched Skills
Here's where the market gets 'mixed'. The jobs being created are often not for the same people whose roles are disappearing. The Nomura report points out that most job losses are in support and back-office roles being replaced by chatbots and automation. Meanwhile, the new hiring is for graduates and professionals with specific, often advanced, AI-related skills. This is creating a two-tier labour market: weakening demand for entry-level workers and soaring demand for experienced professionals. An ICRIER survey noted that 55% of IT firms reported a decline in entry-level hiring as routine tasks get automated. This skills gap is a core challenge. While companies are eager to hire, the availability of talent with the right AI capabilities remains limited, a sentiment echoed in reports from NASSCOM.
The Paradox: Anxiety Even Within AI Roles
Perhaps the most surprising finding comes from a July 2026 survey by the professional networking platform Blind. It revealed that even those working directly in AI are worried about their job security. An astonishing 66% of AI and machine learning professionals in India expect layoffs or significant headcount reductions in their teams within the next six months. This level of anxiety is nearly as high as in sales and marketing roles, challenging the popular belief that an AI-focused job is a safe haven. It suggests that as companies move from AI research to aggressive implementation and optimisation, the very teams building these tools feel disposable. This highlights a volatile environment where even specialists can't afford to be complacent.
Your New Career Blueprint: From Role to Skills
Ignoring these signals is not a viable strategy. The new landscape demands a shift in how we approach career planning—moving from a focus on static job titles to a portfolio of evolving skills. The first step is to embrace continuous learning. With AI skill development being largely informal—73% of employees learn through self-driven channels—taking initiative is paramount. This doesn't necessarily mean becoming a coder. It means developing 'AI fluency': understanding how to use AI tools to augment your existing role, whether you're in marketing, finance, or HR. It's about shifting from task execution to strategic oversight. Instead of doing the report, you're the one asking the AI to generate it and then using your human judgment to interpret and apply the findings.
Future-Proofing Your Value
The second critical component is to double down on what AI can't do. While AI excels at processing data and automating repetitive tasks, it struggles with empathy, complex problem-solving, strategic negotiation, and leadership. A NASSCOM report highlighted that skill gaps exist not just in AI but also in these foundational, human-centred capabilities. Think of your career as a 'T-shaped' model. The vertical bar is your deep expertise in a specific domain. The horizontal bar represents your broader skills: communication, collaboration, creative thinking, and adaptability. As AI commoditises the technical 'vertical,' your value will increasingly come from the 'horizontal' skills that allow you to work with technology and people in new and effective ways. This strategic pivot is no longer just an advantage; it's a necessity for navigating the mixed signals of India's AI-driven job market.
