The Surprising Anxiety of AI Experts
A recent survey has sent ripples through India's tech industry, revealing a stark paradox. The very professionals thought to be the most insulated from automation—those working in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)—are now expressing
high levels of job insecurity. According to a July 2026 survey by the anonymous workplace platform Blind, a staggering 66% of AI/ML professionals in India expect layoffs or significant headcount reductions in their teams within the next three to six months. This places them nearly on par with roles traditionally seen as more vulnerable, such as sales and marketing (68%) and product design (65%). This finding directly challenges the long-held narrative that an AI-focused role is a golden ticket to job security in the modern economy.
Engineers Feel More Secure
Curiously, the roles many predicted AI would decimate now appear to be bastions of confidence. The same survey found that traditional engineering professionals feel comparatively safer. Only 58% of engineers anticipated cuts, with just 24% describing a layoff as “very likely”—the lowest of any function surveyed. Professionals in data and analytics reported even lower concern at 51%. This suggests that foundational technical skills and the ability to build and maintain core systems remain highly valued, perhaps even more so as companies grapple with integrating complex AI technologies. The very people expected to be replaced by code-generating AI feel more secure than the specialists building the AI itself.
Reading the 'Quiet Signals'
The widespread anxiety isn't being driven by official termination notices. In fact, only 9% of concerned employees cited formal layoff announcements as the reason for their fears. Instead, professionals are picking up on subtler, 'quiet signals' from management. The most cited warning signs are hiring freezes (27%) and cuts to budgets or headcount targets (24%). These indicators suggest that while companies may not be planning mass layoffs, they are tightening their belts and re-evaluating the cost and structure of their AI divisions. This shift from outright growth to strategic optimisation is creating a palpable sense of uncertainty among the teams at the forefront of innovation.
Sentiment vs. Macro Trends
While the sentiment on the ground is fearful, broader economic data paints a more complex and even optimistic picture. A recent report from Nomura, for instance, found that AI-related hiring in India has significantly outpaced layoffs. The report identified approximately 83,000 AI-related hires against nearly 32,000 job losses, indicating a net gain of over 51,000 jobs. This disconnect suggests the conversation is moving beyond a simple fear of replacement. The issue may not be a lack of AI jobs, but a strategic reshuffling. Companies are becoming more discerning, seeking specialists with deep, specific expertise rather than generalists, leading to churn within teams even as the overall sector grows.
From Headcount to Skill Set
The new conversation is ultimately about skills, not just jobs. Industry bodies like NASSCOM have highlighted that while the demand for AI talent is projected to cross one million roles by 2026, a significant skills gap persists. Rajesh Nambiar, NASSCOM's president, argues that AI is transforming jobs rather than eliminating them. As AI automates certain tasks, it adds new, more complex responsibilities to job profiles. The challenge for companies and employees alike is reskilling. The anxiety felt by AI professionals may reflect a fear that their current skills are becoming obsolete as the technology advances at a breakneck pace. The focus has shifted from merely 'working in AI' to possessing the right, cutting-edge AI capabilities.
