AI Won't Take Your Job, But Colleagues Who Master AI Might, Says Deloitte Global AI Leader

At the NDTV World Summit 2025, Deloitte's Global AI Leader Nitin Mittal addressed concerns about artificial intelligence replacing human workers. According to Mittal, employees should be more concerned about colleagues who are embracing AI technology rather than AI itself.

When posed with the question of whether AI will eliminate jobs, Mittal confirmed that certain positions will inevitably be affected. Specifically, roles in software engineering, customer support, call centers, and coding are likely to see significant changes. However, he emphasized that he hasn't encountered any cases where jobs were directly lost to AI systems.

"Almost all jobs are impacted by another person who has figured out how to work with AI," stated Mittal, who co-authored the Wall Street Journal bestseller 'All-in on AI'.

Mittal cautioned that individuals who resist adaptation or lack curiosity to acquire new skills might face displacement in the workforce. He suggested that those who spend their free time "doomscrolling" rather than learning new AI capabilities are particularly vulnerable.

Rather than fixating on potential job losses, Mittal encouraged focusing on the emerging AI economy and its capacity to generate novel employment opportunities. This new economic landscape will create previously unimaginable jobs, though it will necessitate significant workforce reskilling.

To illustrate his point, Mittal referenced AI data center construction projects, which create construction jobs while stimulating local manufacturing ecosystems.

He also advocated for the development of India-specific AI models that would help preserve the country's cultural heritage and languages. India possesses natural advantages in this arena, including a large talent pool, entrepreneurial spirit, dynamism driving innovation, and experience applying technology through its robust services industry.

When questioned about self-driving Waymo taxis operating in the United States and their potential application on Indian roads, Mittal redirected the conversation. He suggested that India should concentrate on developing, designing, testing, and deploying technologies specifically suited for its unique environment and needs.