India faces a pressing need to train its workforce in artificial intelligence (AI) to avoid job disruption, particularly in its large IT services industry, says Andrew Ng, cofounder of Coursera and founder of DeepLearning.AI. Speaking at the World Economic Forum, Ng said the $280 billion IT sector could lose ground if professionals fail to adopt AI tools quickly.
Ng explained that AI is increasingly capable of handling tasks once done by humans, including coding and software development. “Today, I would not hire a software engineer who isn’t skilled in AI tools,” he said. He also highlighted that AI skills are becoming essential beyond technical roles—marketers, HR professionals, and others now need to use AI to remain productive.
The situation presents both a challenge and an opportunity for India. Rapid upskilling could help the country maintain its global competitiveness, while lagging behind may lead to job losses. Ng emphasised that structured training programs are crucial to prepare workers for these changes.
Ng also addressed the hype around artificial general intelligence (AGI), warning that current AI models, while powerful, are far from human-level reasoning. Overstating their capabilities could mislead students and business leaders.
He added that CEOs and other leaders should also learn about AI to make informed decisions and drive effective projects. Ng’s advice is clear: India must focus on practical AI skills to secure its workforce and future growth.
