Sridhar Vembu, co-founder of Zoho, has weighed in on the growing debate around artificial intelligence and jobs, arguing that not all careers are at risk from automation.
In a recent public post, Vembu said the real concern about AI should not just be job displacement, but how people define their sense of worth. According to him, individuals who tie their identity solely to economic productivity may feel more threatened by technological change.
Rather than focusing on technical or high-paying roles, Vembu highlighted professions built around human connection and intrinsic motivation. He said caregiving, including looking after children and the elderly, is unlikely to be replaced by AI because it depends on empathy and emotional understanding. Teaching, he added, also requires mentorship and human engagement that machines cannot fully replicate.
Vembu also pointed to work rooted in tradition and community life. Small-scale farmers who cultivate land out of passion, forest conservation workers committed to environmental protection, and local priests who serve religious communities were among the examples he cited. Classical musicians and artists who continue practicing their craft regardless of commercial success were also included in his list of resilient professions.
His comments sparked discussion online. Some critics argued that even passion-driven fields require financial support and cannot exist entirely outside economic systems. Others agreed with his broader point that AI may struggle to replace roles grounded in care, culture and lived experience.
Vembu suggested that as AI increases productivity, societies may need to rethink how wealth and time are distributed. Instead of measuring success only by output, he said, greater value could be placed on activities that strengthen families, communities and cultural traditions.
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