AI will kill 20% existing IT jobs in Hyd

AI has tremendous scope globally. Out of $4 trillion opportunity across the world, India has up to $1-trillion potential over the next couple of years - Bharani Kumar Aroll, ex-president, Hysea

Hyderabad: Out of around 9.05 lakh IT employees in Hyderabad, almost 15-20 per cent jobs could be eliminated by some form of generative artificial intelligence (AI), says Sundeep Kumar Makthala, Global President, World Telugu Information Technology Council (WTITC). Speaking to Bizz Buzz, he also observed that more jobs will be generated due to automation.

“It is true to note that automation will kill jobs, at the same time the adoption of new technologies will create many job openings such as AI prompt engineers, machine learning specialists and data analysts & scientists. If the IT job seekers focus on skilling, upskilling and re-skilling themselves in the emerging technologies, they can grab the major chunk of the new jobs,” he said.

The WTITC chief anticipates that 4-5 new jobs will come up in AI and machine learning segments, for every 2-3 jobs that may go off due to automation. Already, we could see many job openings for positions such as AI engineers and prompt engineers. Various vacancies are being created in different streams for developing solutions using AI tools. There is a strong need to switch to such AI jobs, he said.

According to the latest report of the World Economic Forum (WEF), around 83 million jobs will be eliminated by 2027. However, it further says that 69 million new job roles are expected to be created in the AI, machine learning and data segments. Keeping this in view, the governments should also bring more awareness on skilling, upskilling and re-skilling the youth.

“When compared to the youth in other countries, Indian talent can easily adopt the new technologies, particularly South Indian talent is much faster,” Sundeep Kumar pointed out, suggesting that the State government should take up skilling initiatives. “This will not only create huge employment opportunities in AI technology but also attract investments in the IT sector,” he added.

Expressing similar views, Hyderabad Software Enterprises Association (HYSEA) former president Bharani Kumar Aroll, says: “Both IT employees and job aspirants must constantly pursue expertise in different emerging technologies. AI has tremendous scope globally. Out of $4 trillion opportunity across the world, India has up to $1-trillion potential over the next few years.”

“With the impact of AI, there could be loss of some jobs in Hyderabad. At the same time, there will be the addition of new jobs that will be more than what we lose. The net effect will be an increase of jobs only. Some areas were automated in the past and we were worried about what would happen to those jobs. The tech evolution is such that every 10 years, a few technologies get obsolete,” he said.

“Those who are working on those technology will lose their jobs if they do not update themselves at the right time. Skilling, re-skilling and preparing the graduates towards employable youth is more important these days. Skill development in emerging technologies including AI, blockchain, cybersecurity and AR/VR should be one of the major focus areas of the government,” Bharani Kumar stated.