Nilekani pointed out that AI’s integration should be seen as an evolution that complements human capabilities.
Infosys co-founder Nandan Nilekani has stated that fears surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI) might be overblown, suggesting that while AI will bring significant changes, it’s not something to be overly concerned about.
In a recent interview with CNBC TV-18, Nilekani tried to pacify concerns that decrease in head count in the information technology (IT) sector was not due to the increasing use of AI, but due to the decline in discretionary spending by the IT companies.
“It [the decrease in employee head count] is not because of AI. In the last few years, there has been a decline in discretionary spending and AI has nothing to do with it. The reduction is a cyclical thing and not a secular decline because of AI,” Nilekani said.
Nilekani emphasised the potential of AI to improve efficiency and create new opportunities rather than just displacing jobs.
“There are many fears about AI founded or unfounded. One is that AI will hugely automate and reduce jobs. Now, that’s a fear we should take into account because anytime a new technology comes, some jobs will go but new jobs will come. And there’ll be a period when maybe the job loss would be more than the job gain” he added.
Nilekani pointed out that AI’s integration should be seen as an evolution that complements human capabilities.
“If we can use AI to amplify services to people, if people can get better education, better healthcare, and better farming knowledge, then it has a very positive impact,” he said.
At the same time, he stressed on the need for appropriate guardrails and apply it at a population scale so as to make an even bigger impact on people. Nilekani’s perspective aims to reassure those worried about AI’s impact on the workforce and society.
Source:financialexpress.com