Infosys Chairman Nandan Nilekani Calls AI Job Loss Fears ‘Hogwash’

Infosys Chairman Nandan Nilekani has dismissed fears that artificial intelligence (AI) will lead to widespread job losses, arguing that AI adoption will create new work for IT services companies and increase demand for different skills.

Advertisement

Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi on October 13, 2026, he said business transformation involves much more than software coding.

AI Automation Will Create Demand for New Skills

Nilekani acknowledged that coding tasks are increasingly being automated by AI tools. However, he argued that coding represents only a part of a larger technology services project, which also involves understanding business requirements, managing change, ensuring system reliability and overseeing technology deployment.

He said companies would need professionals who can manage AI systems, establish safeguards, address errors and ensure that AI agents operate as intended.

Advertisement

Roles involving client collaboration, governance and business transformation are expected to become more important as organisations adopt AI.

Also Read: TCS Hiring: 25–30% of New Hires Have Specialised AI Skills

Nilekani also argued that AI would create new opportunities for small businesses and expand the scope of work for IT services companies such as Infosys.

He said enterprise transformation is complex and requires businesses to rethink their operating models and processes.

Reskilling Will Be Critical for Employees

Advertisement

Nilekani said demand for IT services could increase as companies adopt AI and redesign their businesses. However, he acknowledged that individual companies would need to change their working methods, reskill employees and build new capabilities to benefit from this shift.

His comments come at a time when Indian IT services companies are facing questions about the impact of AI coding tools on their traditional business models, which have relied heavily on software development and large engineering workforces.

For HR leaders, the development highlights the need to assess how AI will affect existing roles and future skill requirements.

Organisations will need to identify tasks that can be automated, prepare employees for changing responsibilities and develop capabilities in AI governance, business analysis, technology management and change management.

Final Comments

Nilekani’s remarks present an optimistic view of AI’s impact on employment. However, the creation of new roles does not necessarily mean that every employee affected by automation will find a similar opportunity.

For HR teams, the key challenge will be to prepare employees for changing job requirements while tracking the actual impact of AI on hiring, workforce size and productivity.

Reskilling and workforce planning will be important as businesses integrate AI into their operations.