NDTV Profit Conclave 2026: CEA Nageswaran on AI and the Future of Jobs
India’s Chief Economic Advisor (CEA), Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran, shared his thoughts on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) will affect jobs and the economy during the NDTV Profit Conclave on February 7. While acknowledging that AI will change the workforce, he highlighted new opportunities in sectors that go beyond coding and traditional office roles.
The Shift in Hiring and AI’s Impact
When asked about AI’s impact on the IT sector, Dr. Nageswaran admitted that while precise answers are hard to find, the threat to coding and cognitive jobs is real. He noted that industry leaders, such as Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu, have already pointed out how advanced AI tools are becoming at writing code.
He explained that the impact might not just be about layoffs, but also about how companies hire in the future. Because AI is becoming so efficient at technical tasks, future hiring patterns in the tech world are likely to change.
Creating Jobs Beyond AI
Dr. Nageswaran emphasized the need to create roles that either work alongside AI or exist independently of it. He suggested focusing on “non-cognitive” jobs—roles that rely more on human connection and physical presence than data processing.
He pointed to four key areas mentioned in the recent Budget that are likely to flourish:
- The Care Economy: Supporting families and the elderly.
- Allied Health: Specialized healthcare support roles.
- Tourism: Skilled tourist guides and hospitality.
- The Orange Economy: Creative industries and cultural sectors.
“These are areas where we are aiming to build skills and jobs that AI won’t touch,” he said. “That is the way forward.”
A Two-Part Strategy for India’s Workforce
The CEA outlined a dual approach to prepare India’s youth for this new era:
- AI Readiness: Training young people to work within cognitive spaces dominated by AI.
- Valuing Traditional Roles: Making it “fashionable” and respectable to work in sectors that don’t involve sitting in a corporate office building.
India’s Economic Outlook for 2026-27
Reflecting on the past year, Dr. Nageswaran noted that the Union Budget, new trade deals with the US and EU, and steady monetary policies have put India in a strong position for the 2026-27 financial year.
Regarding the GDP, he mentioned that recent trade agreements have created a positive outlook. While he previously predicted a growth range of 6.8% to 7.2%, he now sees a potential “upside risk,” suggesting growth could be 0.20% to 0.40% higher than expected.
Trade Relations and Global Factors
Addressing the India-US trade deal and the possibility of stopping oil imports from Russia, Dr. Nageswaran remained cautious. He noted that these are sensitive topics and public speculation is not helpful.
On the subject of energy, he stated that if the situation in the Middle East remains stable, oil prices should stay manageable. This stability would help India maintain its economic momentum without major procurement challenges.
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