Will AI take away jobs? PM Modi addresses biggest concern among youth

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke about the emergence of AI, its impact on the job structure in India, and how it will pave the way for the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. In an exclusive interview with news agency ANI, he said that India should not only consume technology but also create it. On widespread fears about AI eliminating existing jobs, PM Modi stressed that while some existing ones may be "redefined", digital transformation will also lead to the rise of new tech jobs to boost the Indian economy.

"Our journey toward Aatmanirbhar Bharat has been built on a fundamental principle: India must not just consume technology but create it. My vision for AI in Aatmanirbhar Bharat rests on three pillars: sovereignty, inclusivity, and innovation. My vision is that India should be among the top three AI superpowers globally, not just in the consumption of AI but in creation," he told ANI.

He said that going ahead, AI models will be experienced by every Indian as an "enabler of opportunity, a multiplier of capability, and a servant of human dignity, not as a threat to their livelihood or an instrument of control."

"Our AI models will be deployed worldwide, serving billions in their native languages. Our AI startups will be valued in hundreds of billions, creating millions of high-quality jobs. Our AI-powered public services will be studied globally as benchmarks for efficient, equitable governance. And most importantly, every Indian will experience AI as an enabler of opportunity, a multiplier of capability, and a servant of human dignity, not as a threat to their livelihood or an instrument of control. Aatmanirbhar Bharat in AI means India writing its own code for the digital century, and through the IndiaAI Mission, we are ensuring that code reflects our values, serves our people, and positions India as a responsible AI leader for the world," PM Modi added.

Terming "preparation" the "best antidote to fear", he said the central government's focus is on skilling and re-skilling of the workforce to ensure they are ready for the AI-driven future. "The Government has launched one of the most ambitious skilling initiatives in the world. We're not approaching this as a future problem, but we're treating it as a present imperative.I view AI as a force-multiplier which will further help us push the boundaries of what we thought possible."

The Prime Minister further said that history has shown technological advent don't take away but create new jobs. "History has shown that work does not disappear due to technology. Its nature changes and new types of jobs are created. While some jobs may be redefined, digital transformation will also add new tech jobs to India's economy. For centuries, there have been fears that innovation and technological revolutions will eliminate jobs. Yet history teaches us that whenever innovation happens, new opportunities emerge. The same will be true in the age of AI," he said, exuding confidence in India's ability to adapt to the change.

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