New Delhi: During a stimulating session entitled ‘Harnessing the Power of AI: A Journey of Creativity and Innovation’ at the Aayush Ailawadi facilitated an insightful discussion on the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on employment. The conversation featured contributions from Vyshak Venugopalan, Director of Solution Consulting at Adobe India, and Samik Roy, Executive Director for India & South Asia at Microsoft.
When addressing the perennial question of whether AI will replace human jobs, Samik Roy of Microsoft provided historical context: “This is a recurring debate that arises with every new invention. When the steam engine was introduced, concerns arose about job displacement. Similar fears emerged with the advent of electricity and then with computers and the internet. However, it’s crucial to take a step back and reassess the situation.”
Roy stressed the importance of acquiring new skills and retraining to adapt to the evolving landscape shaped by AI: “What’s essential is continuous skilling and reskilling. AI significantly reduces the learning curve, enabling people to acquire new skills more rapidly. Unlike the past, where computers and automation primarily focused on providing access to information, the current era emphasizes expertise accessibility. Through AI-generated models, even individuals with basic knowledge can achieve remarkable results. Therefore, investing in skills development and facilitating redeployment is critical.”
Echoing Roy’s sentiments, Vyshak Venugopalan from Adobe emphasized AI’s potential to democratize creativity while simultaneously enhancing professional standards: “We share the belief that AI, particularly generative AI, will lower entry barriers, democratizing creativity. Simultaneously, it will raise standards through education and enablement. As Samik mentioned, professionals will have the opportunity to enhance the quality of their work, ensuring continuous improvement.”
