The Core Finding: A Crisis of Confidence
A July 2026 survey of 1,552 India-based professionals has challenged the widespread belief that an AI-focused career is a safe harbour from market volatility. According to the survey by anonymous professional network Blind, a staggering 66% of AI and
machine learning (AI/ML) professionals expect layoffs or a significant headcount reduction in their team within the next three to six months. This figure is startling because it places AI specialists among the most concerned employee groups, nearly on par with sales and marketing professionals (68%) and slightly ahead of product and design teams (65%). The data suggests that despite massive corporate investment in AI, the creators of the technology feel just as vulnerable as those in roles AI is expected to disrupt.
The Irony: Who Feels Safer?
Counterintuitively, the survey revealed that roles often predicted to be heavily impacted by generative AI are showing more confidence. Only 24% of engineers reported that a layoff was 'very likely' in their teams, the lowest proportion of any function surveyed. Professionals in data and analytics were even more optimistic, with only 51% considering their teams at risk and four in ten calling a cut unlikely, the highest share of confidence recorded. This creates a paradox where the very engineers and analysts whose work many feared would be automated feel more secure than the specialists building the AI models themselves.
Reading the Tea Leaves: The Warning Signs
This anxiety isn't primarily fueled by official layoff announcements, which accounted for only 9% of concerns among at-risk employees. Instead, professionals are interpreting indirect signals from their employers. The most cited warning signs were hiring freezes (27%) and reductions in budgets or headcount targets (24%). Project cancellations and a more frequent use of performance improvement plans (PIPs) were also seen as indicators of looming workforce cuts, suggesting employees are closely monitoring organisational health through subtle cues.
A Tale of Two Trends
The sentiment captured in the Blind survey contrasts with broader market data. A recent Nomura report found that AI is, on the whole, a net job creator in India. Between 2022 and August 2026, India saw 83,100 AI-related hires compared to 31,921 layoffs or instances of attrition linked to the technology. This suggests that for every job lost to AI, roughly 2.6 new ones are being created. However, these trends are not contradictory. The Nomura report highlights the creation of a two-tiered labour market, with reduced demand for entry-level workers and a surge in demand for experienced professionals. The anxiety among current AI professionals could reflect a period of intense restructuring and a shift in the specific skills companies are willing to pay a premium for, even as the overall field expands.
Company Culture and Future Outlook
Layoff anxiety also varies dramatically between companies. Employees at global tech giants like Salesforce (81%) and Oracle (80%) reported the highest levels of concern. In contrast, workers at Indian SaaS firms like Zoho (9%) felt significantly more secure. This may indicate that global corporations are undergoing more aggressive restructuring of their AI teams as they pivot from research to deployment. The key takeaway for professionals is clear: the AI boom is not a guarantee of permanent job security. It marks a market maturation where continuous upskilling, adaptability, and an awareness of shifting corporate strategy are more crucial than ever for navigating a career in this dynamic field.
