AI expected to create jobs; Indian engineers urged to collaborate, TechGig
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is anticipated to create more job opportunities than it disrupts, according to Rajiv Kumar, Managing Director and President of Microsoft India Development Center (IDC). In a recent blog post, Kumar urged Indian engineers to move beyond fears of job displacement and focus on collaborating with AI technologies.
Citing the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, which surveyed over 1,000 employers across various industries, Kumar noted that 39 percent of core job skills are expected to change by 2030. In India, approximately 63 percent of the workforce will require significant upskilling or reskilling by that time.
Kumar stated, “Virtually every major technology wave in history has ultimately created more opportunities than it destroyed.” He emphasized that the key to success lies in the ability to adapt and learn new skills, particularly for young engineers who should focus on ‘learning to learn.’
This shift in mindset is crucial as new roles such as AI trainers, agent specialists, and AI security experts are emerging within Indian companies.
The conversation among young engineers is evolving from concerns about AI replacing jobs to exploring ways to work alongside this technology. Kumar drew parallels with the internet’s rise in 1995, asserting that technological advancements have historically led to increased job creation.
Employers are increasingly prioritizing skills-based hiring, focusing on candidates’ potential and learning capabilities rather than traditional qualifications.
According to Microsoft’s latest Work Trend Index 2026, many global AI users reported that the technology has allowed them to concentrate on high-value tasks and achieve results previously unattainable. Kumar noted that while AI can assist in coding, it cannot replace human judgment, which is informed by experience, ethics, and empathy.
Highlighting India’s strengths, Kumar pointed out that the country possesses the world’s second-largest engineering talent pool, coupled with significant digital ambition and the capacity for large-scale innovation.
He cited the Microsoft IDC in Hyderabad as a prime example of Indian teams leading global innovation efforts rather than merely participating.
