Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday addressed concerns about artificial intelligence eliminating jobs, saying he understood young people’s concerns about “AI-induced disruptions” in the job market.
Even as India hosts the world’s largest AI summit at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, the Prime Minister, in an interview with news agency ANI, allayed fears that India’s demographic dividend will not be harnessed if jobs are eliminated due to AI.
Addressing this challenge, Prime Minister Modi said the government is investing in upskilling and reskilling for an AI-driven future.
“The government has launched one of the most ambitious skilling initiatives in the world. We are not treating this as a future problem but as a present necessity,” Prime Minister Modi said, stressing that “preparedness is the best antidote to fear.”
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“AI is a force multiplier and will help reach a wider group of people.”
Prime Minister Modi said he views AI as a “force multiplier”, adding that it will further help “push the boundaries of what we thought was possible”. Artificial intelligence can also help doctors, teachers and lawyers, among others, “reach out and help a wider group of people,” the Prime Minister told ANI.
He pointed to history as a precedent, saying that work does not disappear because of technology, but its nature changes and creates new types of jobs. He said some jobs will be redefined and new technology jobs will be added to the Indian economy after digital transformation, ANI reported.
“For centuries, there have been fears that innovation and technological revolutions would eliminate jobs. However, history teaches us that whenever innovation occurs, new opportunities arise. The same will be true in the age of artificial intelligence,” Prime Minister Modi said, stressing that India is already well equipped to adapt to this change.
The Prime Minister highlighted India’s ranking in the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Index. “In the 2025 Stanford Global AI Vitality Index, India ranked third, reflecting strong growth in AI R&D, talent, and economy,” PM Modi told ANI. He expressed confidence that AI will enhance India’s workforce by combining innovation and inclusion.
