According to Moneycontrol: India’s AI Economic Council a ‘brilliant idea’ to guide AI’s impact on jobs, says Cognizant CEO. Ravi Kumar S supported the proposal , as India weighs how artificial intelligence will reshape employment, skilling, and workforce readiness.
What changed in AI impact on jobs policy planning
Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S backed India’s proposal for an AI Economic Council. He said technology shifts often disrupt roles faster than new ones appear. The council could help manage AI impact on jobs through phased adoption.
The idea was raised in the Economic Survey 2025–26. The survey recommended a structured approach to AI deployment in a labour-rich economy like India.
Impact on workers and workforce reskilling India
A key focus is workforce reskilling India as automation expands. Kumar said the challenge is not access to AI tools, but integrating them into workflows and labour systems. He added that productivity gains must return to workers through better wages and new roles.
The survey warned that unchecked automation may destabilise labour markets. It urged sequencing AI adoption instead of blanket rollouts.
How companies are responding to AI impact on jobs
Cognizant highlighted its own workforce preparation model. The firm has trained around 260,000 employees in generative AI. Over 30 percent of coding across projects is now AI-assisted.
The company has also increased entry-level hiring. It is using AI tools to move graduates into production roles faster. This approach allows new recruits to work on live assignments sooner. It also helps teams deliver projects with improved speed and accuracy. Cognizant said AI is becoming part of daily work across service lines. The company is focusing on blending automation with human oversight.
What the AI Economic Council would do next
The Economic Survey proposed the council as a coordinating institution, not a regulator. It would work with private sector firms to map jobs likely to be automated or augmented.
It may also identify regions most exposed to disruption and build a 10-year AI roadmap linked to education and workforce reskilling India. The council could also help align AI adoption with labour market readiness. It would support planning for sectors where automation may expand quickly. The survey suggested that the body should coordinate with training institutes, employers, and government agencies. This would ensure workers gain relevant skills before displacement risks rise.
