At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, officials stressed that India can become a global AI leader only through education reform, upskilling, and coordinated policy to ensure inclusive growth and prevent job displacement. Experts highlighted that AI will reshape jobs, not eliminate them, making skills development, vocational training, and strong public-private collaboration crucial for sustaining economic growth and social stability
India can rise as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) if it aligns rapid technological transformation with large-scale employment and education reforms, top government officials and international experts said on Monday at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.
At the summit’s key session on Future of Employability and AI, Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) V. Anantha Nageswaran warned that AI’s benefits will not be automatic. He said deliberate policy action and coordinated effort are essential to ensure growth is inclusive and sustainable.
AI Growth Must Support Jobs, Not Replace Them
Nageswaran said that India has “a unique opportunity to demonstrate how human abundance and machine intelligence can reinforce each other,” but this will not happen without clear strategy. He stressed that AI adoption must be guided by political will, state capacity and joint action between government, industry, educators and civil society.
“For India, this is not a debate about the future of work; it is a decision about the future of growth, social stability and cohesion,” he told delegates.
The CEA highlighted education reform and skills development as crucial first steps. Without them, he warned, the demographic dividend could turn into a structural challenge if the workforce remains unprepared for AI-driven change.
Tech Leaders Back Skills and Upskilling Push
Industry voices at the summit echoed the call for urgency. Sateesh Seetharamiah, CEO of EdgeVerve (an Infosys unit), addressed rising fears over AI-related layoffs. He said workers should not panic, but instead focus on continuous learning and upskilling to remain relevant. “AI will not steal jobs; it will change how we work,” he said.
Seetharamiah emphasised that while some routine tasks may be automated, new roles will emerge that require human judgement, creativity and oversight.
AI and Job Market Dynamics in India
A recent industry report suggests a mixed labour market picture. According to The Economic Times, about two out of three companies in India’s $250-billion technology sector have reduced hiring due to AI integration, while 24% reported increased recruitment – most notably in advanced roles requiring specialised skills.
In contrast, the OpenAI-backed ICRIER study found that AI is not causing mass job loss in Indian IT. Instead, the technology is reshaping job functions and enhancing productivity, pointing to a shift toward job redesign rather than outright elimination.
These contrasting trends underline how critical reskilling and education pathways have become as India embraces AI transformation.
AI Impact Summit: Global and Local Focus
The summit in New Delhi has become a key platform for global AI discourse. It features more than 3,000 speakers and delegates from over 45 countries, including startups, researchers, policymakers and civil society representatives.
International participants highlighted collaborative opportunities. Professor Dov Greenbaum of Israel’s Reichman University praised India’s leadership in engaging the Global South on AI development and job growth, underscoring the potential for shared research and innovation.
Urgency and Path Forward
Experts agree that timing is critical. Nageswaran warned that delays could narrow opportunities and intensify job-skill mismatches. India needs to generate millions of productive jobs annually to absorb its workforce and sustain economic momentum.
He called for reforms that strengthen foundational education, expand high-quality vocational training, and remove policy bottlenecks that slow job creation in labour-intensive sectors.
Conclusion: AI as a Tool for Inclusive Growth
India’s approach to AI will shape not only its economic trajectory but also social stability. Summit speakers agreed that coordinated action across public and private sectors, educational institutions and civil society is essential.
If India invests in skills and supports an AI ecosystem that promotes broad participation, the country can set a global example of how technology uplifts employment and growth simultaneously.
Clear Cut Education Desk
New Delhi, UPDATED: Feb 20, 2026 09:00 IST
Written By: Ayushman Meena
