Infosys CEO Salil Parekh Counters ‘Job Loss’ Claim at WEF 2026: “We Employ 30,000 Americans”
At the World Economic Forum (WEF) 2026 in Davos, Infosys CEO Salil Parekh delivered a subtle but firm response to claims that Indian IT companies operate in the US by replacing local workers.
His remarks came after a panelist suggested that firms like Infosys help American companies cut costs by laying off US employees and relying on lower-paid Indian talent.
The exchange spotlighted the growing global debate over outsourcing, AI-led productivity, and the future of jobs—topics that resonate strongly with business leaders, policymakers, and workers alike.
‘Infosys Is Creating Jobs in the US’
Responding to the criticism, Parekh highlighted Infosys’ deep and expanding footprint in the United States. “We have about 30,000 employees in the US, who are essentially American workers,” he said, pushing back against the narrative that the company’s growth comes at the expense of local employment.
He added that Infosys has been actively hiring from American universities and building long-term talent pipelines within the country. The company operates multiple digital and delivery centres across states such as North Carolina, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and along the US West Coast.
These centres, Parekh said, are focused on employing US-based professionals to deliver complex technology projects for global clients.
AI Is Changing Work, Not Eliminating It: Parekh
Shifting the focus beyond outsourcing, Parekh argued that the biggest driver of workforce change today is rapid technological transformation—particularly artificial intelligence.
He noted that over the past several years, demand has surged for skills in cloud computing and digital technologies, and that AI is now shaping the next wave of enterprise innovation.
“There are things that were not possible in the past that are becoming possible with AI,” Parekh said, adding that these advances are creating entirely new categories of work for technology companies.
While acknowledging that AI-driven efficiency can reduce the size of certain traditional tasks, Parekh emphasised that productivity gains are being offset by growing demand for advanced skills. “Between the two, you see more opportunities in the new type of work that Infosys is providing,” he said.
Why This Matters Now
As global elections, economic uncertainty, and rapid AI adoption fuel anxiety around jobs, Parekh’s remarks reflect a broader reality: multinational tech firms are increasingly localising hiring even as they scale globally.
The debate at Davos underscores how narratives around outsourcing are evolving—and why the future of work may be shaped more by skills and technology than by borders.
Summary
- Infosys CEO Salil Parekh pushed back at WEF 2026, saying the company employs nearly 30,000 American workers across multiple US states.
- He stressed that AI and digital transformation, not outsourcing, are reshaping global tech jobs.
- Parekh said new AI-led work is creating opportunities, offsetting productivity-driven job reductions.
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