Arindam Paul, founder of Atomberg, has raised alarms over the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on India’s workforce, predicting that 40-50% of white-collar jobs could disappear. He warned that such a shift could end India’s middle class and disrupt its consumption-driven economy.
Paul’s concerns echo Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu, who has also cautioned about AI’s threat to India’s software job market.
AI’s Impact on Jobs and Economy
Paul pointed out that India’s manufacturing sector is not strong enough to create well-paying jobs, making the country vulnerable to AI-driven job losses in IT and BPO sectors. While companies like Infosys may survive, he believes they won’t employ as many people as before.
He also criticized businesses for celebrating AI-driven efficiency, warning that without jobs, consumer spending will decline, ultimately affecting businesses’ revenues.
Call for Action
Paul urged India to focus on manufacturing to counter AI’s impact. While hoping his predictions don’t come true, he believes India faces a serious economic threat unless immediate action is taken.
His warning aligns with Vembu’s concerns about an overcapacity in the IT sector and the risk of AI replacing traditional coding jobs.
