Every technological revolution has sparked fears of job losses, yet many have created new industries and livelihoods. As artificial intelligence reshapes the world of work, India must invest in skills, innovation and infrastructure to turn disruption into an engine of growth and shared prosperity
“Technology cannot be stopped, even if God wills it” is a popular saying that captures the dilemma of our times. Every technological revolution generates anxiety about its consequences, particularly among those who fear losing their livelihoods or traditional ways of life. History offers a powerful lesson: technologies once viewed with suspicion often become indispensable instruments of progress. Artificial intelligence (AI), the latest stage of this transformation, should be seen not merely as a threat to employment but as an opportunity for India to create new industries, livelihoods and prosperity.
Resistance to technological change is not new. Around 2,500 years ago, the Greek philosopher Socrates reportedly expressed concern that writing would weaken human memory and encourage people to depend on written records rather than their own minds. Centuries later, when the printing press transformed the circulation of knowledge, some religious authorities feared that printing sacred texts would diminish their sanctity and undermine established authority. The spread of printed books, instead, expanded literacy, encouraged debate and made knowledge accessible to millions. What was once considered a threat eventually became one of humanity’s greatest instruments of intellectual progress. The Industrial Revolution produced similar apprehensions. When machines began transforming production, fears grew that human labour would become redundant. In the late sixteenth century, Queen Elizabeth I of England reportedly opposed a patent for a knitting machine because it could threaten the livelihoods of hand-knitters. The concern reflected the tension between technological innovation and the protection of existing occupations. Industrialisation eventually transformed economies, created new industries and changed the nature of work, although its benefits were unevenly distributed and many workers experienced hardship during the transition.
Economists and social commentators also warned that mechanisation and computerisation could eliminate employment on a massive scale. During the twentieth century, the arrival of computers revived fears that machines would replace office workers and make many conventional occupations unnecessary. Automation intensified these concerns by enabling machines to perform tasks previously carried out by people. Nevertheless, computerisation also created new professions in software development, information technology, telecommunications, digital services and systems management. India’s IT industry is a striking example of how a technology initially associated with disruption can become a source of economic growth and employment.
Kerala provides an especially interesting illustration. In the 1980s, the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front organised a statewide bandh against computerisation. Computers were seen as instruments that could destroy jobs and undermine workers’ security. Trade unions feared that machines would make employees redundant, while many people were uncertain about the future of work. These concerns reflected genuine anxieties in a society where employment was central to economic security.
Today, computers are indispensable across political parties, government offices and educational institutions. Even Communist parties that once opposed computerisation now rely on it. Yesterday’s symbol of job destruction has become an everyday tool, showing that permanent resistance to technological change is rarely effective. AI has revived these anxieties. Its ability to perform language, data analysis and decision-making tasks threatens jobs in customer service, programming and data entry, putting entry-level employment under pressure. These risks must be acknowledged rather than dismissed.
At the same time, focusing exclusively on job losses means overlooking the new opportunities emerging around AI. Data centres require engineers, electricians, cooling-system specialists, cybersecurity professionals and network technicians. The manufacture of microchips, robots, drones and advanced machinery will generate demand for hardware engineers and skilled technicians. AI development also creates opportunities in data management, algorithm design, energy infrastructure, ethical oversight and specialised technical services. The benefits extend beyond software companies to construction, manufacturing, logistics and maintenance. India has an opportunity to build on its established strengths in information and communication technology. The growth of the IT industry has supported millions of livelihoods and strengthened the country’s position in the global services economy. AI could open another chapter in this journey. Global investment in computing infrastructure, digital services and advanced manufacturing can create employment, encourage research and strengthen India’s technological capabilities. These outcomes are not guaranteed, though. They require reliable infrastructure, investment, innovation and policies that encourage domestic enterprises to participate in the emerging economy.
Education and skill development will determine how successfully India benefits from AI. Universities and schools must promote AI literacy and digital skills, while technical institutions should offer practical training in emerging technologies. Workers affected by automation need opportunities to reskill. The aim is to equip young people to use technology effectively in their chosen professions.
The government must also ensure that the benefits of AI are widely shared. New technologies should not deepen inequality or concentrate wealth in a handful of corporations. Small businesses, farmers, local enterprises and rural communities should be able to use digital tools to improve productivity and access markets. Social protection and retraining programmes will be essential for workers who face displacement. Technological progress becomes meaningful when it improves human welfare and creates opportunities for people across social and economic backgrounds.
From Socrates’ concerns about writing to the anxieties surrounding printing, industrial machinery, computers and artificial intelligence, history repeatedly demonstrates that new technologies challenge established habits and institutions. The answer is neither blind celebration nor unconditional resistance. It is informed adaptation, responsible regulation and the development of human capabilities.
India must learn from the computer revolution and prepare for the AI revolution. Instead of allowing fear to dominate the debate, we should invest in skills, encourage innovation and create an environment in which new industries can flourish. Technology may change the nature of work, but our response will determine whether that change becomes a burden or an opportunity. The time has come for India not merely to witness the AI revolution, but to reap its harvest.
Education and skill development will determine how successfully India benefits from this transformation. Universities should integrate AI literacy into undergraduate and postgraduate education, while schools can introduce age-appropriate digital skills and computational thinking
The writer is a Professor at the Centre for South Asian Studies, School of International Studies and Social Sciences, Pondicherry Central University; Views presented are personal.