• AI jobs outlook: Nilekani called claims that AI will wipe out demand for human workers “hogwash,” arguing that enterprise AI adoption requires complex, root-and-branch business transformation and will create more work for technology firms.
• Slow deployment: AI’s capabilities are ahead of its deployment; technology diffusion in companies takes years because of legacy systems, change management and organizational power structures. Aadhaar took 7, 8 years to reach 1 billion people.
• Market concerns: Shares of Infosys, TCS and other companies are down 33% this year, but Nilekani said he was speaking from experience with technology change and remained convinced there would be a major opportunity for transformation work.
• Changing job mix: Coding is becoming more automated and productive, but Nilekani said technology is only 30% of a technology project; 70% involves governance, change management, transformation and guardrails. He expects new roles in understanding client needs, collaboration and helping people work together.