Today morning, I received a call from my team member, a camera person in our studios. He said, “Sir, beta 6-8 mahine se naukri dhoond raha hai, B.Com kar rakha hai, lekin achchi naukri nahin mil rahi.”
So I asked, “Kuch aur seekha hai?”
He replied, “Sir, computer course bhi kiya tha, PPT bana leta hai aur Excel par bhi thoda bahut kar leta hai. Aap pls kahin achchi job lagwa do, please!!”
And this scares me. Too many people are studying for jobs that won’t exist.
A friend of mine runs an IT company that recently downsized from 20 employees to just 3, thanks to AI automating coding and deployment. Another EdTech founder once had a 30-person team creating PowerPoints—he’s now considering keeping only one person.
AI: The Eye-Opener, Not the Enemy
Artificial intelligence isn't a foe; it's a revelation. It will highlight the shortcomings of our educational system, which continues to prepare students for careers that are rapidly fading. Traditional desk roles (data entry/ text editing/Excel sheet/PPT preparation) will vanish, along with the assurance that one got on earning degrees. The landscape is changing, rather evolving and soon all the stakeholders in the education sector will understand that pressuring children to learn in outdated ways leads to nowhere. The only viable path ahead is through practical experience and fostering curiosity. Consider our team member’s son as an example. If he maintains his curiosity and eagerness to learn, he may still discover opportunities in this evolving world. However, if his education has merely conditioned him to pursue jobs that are quickly becoming obsolete, what options will he have?
The Changing Landscape of Work
Automation through AI is advancing at an extraordinary pace, taking over repetitive jobs. Tasks such as content creation, customer service, data entry, and even certain coding activities are increasingly handled by AI-powered applications. Many workers who once believed their jobs were secure are now coming to terms with the fact that their skills can be easily replaced.
Moreover, professions such as medicine and law, previously thought to be safeguarded from automation, are experiencing changes. AI can identify illnesses more quickly than medical professionals and evaluate legal documents with greater precision than paralegals. This indicates that future workers must cultivate abilities that AI cannot emulate—such as creativity, emotional understanding, intricate problem-solving, and resilience.
Education Must Evolve
One of the most significant impacts of AI will be breaking down the barrier of costly education. Information will become available to anyone eager to learn. Online classes, personalized learning experiences, and practical projects will take the place of pricey degrees that don’t guarantee jobs. The essential thing is for parents from all socioeconomic backgrounds to understand that fostering and supporting their child's curiosity is the only genuine way forward. Rather than advocating for traditional education, they should promote practical skills—entrepreneurship, adaptability, and lifelong learning.
What Can We Do?
1. Promote Learning Outside of Textbooks – Practical projects, internships, and real-world experience will be more valuable than formal degrees.
2. Cultivate Skills That AI Cannot Imitate – Abilities such as creativity, emotional intelligence, leadership, and critical thinking are essential for the future.
3. Accept Change – Rather than opposing AI, we should focus on how to collaborate with it.
4. Encourage Lifelong Learning – The notion of studying for a few years followed by a lifelong career is no longer relevant. Ongoing skill development is crucial.
AI won’t eliminate jobs; it will eliminate those that are outdated. Those who adapt will succeed. The critical question is, are we equipping the upcoming generation for this reality?
