New Delhi: India is at a critical crossroads in the global artificial intelligence (AI) revolution, according to a new report released by NITI Aayog on October 10, 2025. Titled “Roadmap for Job Creation in the AI Economy”, the report outlines a comprehensive strategy to mitigate massive job losses due to AI disruption and capitalize on the technology’s potential to create millions of new employment opportunities.
Authored by NITI Aayog CEO B.V.R. Subrahmanyam and developed with inputs from top industry leaders across IBM, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, LTIMindtree, Teleperformance, BCG, and Nasscom, the report warns that without swift action, India could see severe job contractions in key sectors by 2031.
AI Disruption: A Looming Threat to Tech and CX Jobs
The report estimates that, under a “business-as-usual” scenario, India’s tech services workforce could shrink from 8 million in 2023 to 6 million by 2031. Similarly, jobs in the customer experience (CX) sector may fall to 1.8 million.
Yet, the report also paints a hopeful picture: if India acts decisively, AI could drive the creation of up to 4 million new jobs over the next five years, particularly in data science, AI development, machine learning, robotics, and other emerging fields.
National AI Talent Mission Proposed
To turn the threat into an opportunity, NITI Aayog recommends launching a “National AI Talent Mission”, a centralized initiative to coordinate AI training, skilling, and talent development at scale. This mission would aim to position India as the global leader in AI-ready talent—tapping into the country’s vast pool of young, digitally literate professionals.
Key Reforms Needed in Policy and Education
The report identifies three major gaps that need urgent attention:
- High displacement vulnerability in the workforce
- Weak foundational education in computer science
- Shortage of AI-skilled professionals
To address these challenges, the roadmap calls for:
- Embedding AI literacy at all levels of formal education
- Expanding access to open data and computing infrastructure
- Creating an India Open-Source AI Commons to support inclusive innovation and R&D
- Strengthening public-private collaboration for skill-building and employment transition
India Must Act Now, Says Subrahmanyam
“India’s strength lies in its people,” said B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog. “With over 9 million tech and CX professionals and the world’s largest pool of young digital talent, we have the scale and ambition. What we need now is urgency and coordination.”
A Call for Collaborative Action
The report underscores that the future of India’s workforce in the AI era depends on bold, collaborative action. NITI Aayog urges a tripartite partnership between the government, academia, and industry to drive systemic reform, safeguard existing jobs, and ensure India leads in shaping the future of work in the AI-driven economy.
