AI won’t kill jobs, it will change them: PM Modi reassures India’s youth

With global technology firms announcing layoffs amid increasing automation, anxiety around AI-driven disruption continues to grow.

Addressing these concerns, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has sought to strike a reassuring note, calling preparation and skill development the most effective responses to fear.

'Preparation is the best antidote to fear'

In an exclusive interview with news agency ANI, Prime Minister Modi underlined that artificial intelligence should not be viewed as a threat but as a transformative force.

He acknowledged that some existing roles may be redefined, but stressed that digital transformation would simultaneously generate new kinds of employment.

According to the Prime Minister, the government is treating the AI transition not as a distant challenge but as an immediate priority.

He highlighted India’s large-scale skilling and re-skilling initiatives aimed at preparing the workforce for an AI-driven economy, describing them as among the most ambitious in the world.

Technology has always created new opportunities

Drawing from historical experience, PM Modi said technological revolutions have consistently altered the nature of work rather than eliminating it.

He pointed out that fears surrounding innovation have surfaced repeatedly over centuries, yet each wave of change has ultimately produced new opportunities and industries.

In his view, artificial intelligence will follow the same trajectory.

While certain job profiles may evolve, AI is expected to add new technology-driven roles to India’s economy, strengthening productivity and expanding possibilities rather than shrinking them.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurates India AI Impact Expo in New Delhi, February 16, 2026. Photo: Instagram/@officialindiaai

India must create, not just consume, AI

The Prime Minister also emphasised that India’s approach to artificial intelligence is closely tied to its broader vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat (self-reliant India).

He said the country must move beyond being a consumer of advanced technologies and position itself as a global creator.

Outlining his vision, PM Modi said India’s AI journey rests on three pillars—sovereignty, inclusivity and innovation.

He reiterated his ambition for India to rank among the world’s top three AI powers, not only in adoption but in original development and global deployment of AI solutions.

AI as an enabler, not a threat

Looking ahead, the Prime Minister said AI should be experienced by citizens as a tool that enhances human capability rather than undermines livelihoods.

He envisioned Indian AI models serving global populations in native languages, domestic startups scaling into multibillion-dollar enterprises, and AI-powered public services setting international benchmarks for governance.

PM Modi stressed that, at its core, India’s AI mission is about dignity and opportunity.

He said the goal is to ensure artificial intelligence becomes a servant of human progress, reflecting Indian values while positioning the country as a responsible and influential leader in the global AI ecosystem.