Ashok Krish, TCS’s AI Global Head, argues that AI should be viewed as a force for skill transformation rather than a threat to jobs. In an interview, he discussed AI’s role in reshaping work culture and emphasized the exponential growth of tech driven by artificial intelligence. He believes that upskilling will be crucial as industries increasingly integrate AI into their operations.
In a recent interview, Ashok Krish, the Global Head of AI at TCS, emphasized that artificial intelligence should be viewed as a transformative force for skills rather than a threat to jobs. He stressed that companies seeing AI as a strategic priority, rather than just an IT project, were witnessing true high-value implementations. His insights paint a picture of AI not merely as a tech upgrade but as part of a larger, cultural shift in the workspace.
Over the past thirty years, we’ve seen waves of disruptive tech—from mainframes to the cloud—that sparked fears and scaremongering about job losses. Yet, Krish points out that AI is just the next evolutionary step in this ongoing cycle. “So I think it’s wrong to look at it through the lens of job loss,” he stated, suggesting that this technology opens doors for skill transformation.
Discussing the effects of global events on AI adoption, he noted the cyclical nature of economic ups and downs. Unlike other technologies, AI evolves at an exponential rate, with advances in AI feeding back into further advancements. Krish explained that while a project that used to require a hundred people might now only need fifty, the type of work involved will shift to new projects and services.
In the rapidly changing tech landscape, ongoing upskilling is crucial. With AI tools enhancing efficiency, Krish believes we are in a period of unprecedented disruption—perhaps the biggest in human history.
Notably, he highlighted how AI democratizes access to knowledge, which, combined with humanoid robotics, could instigate massive changes across companies and society. In terms of trends, AI started with small-scale proof-of-concept initiatives in sectors like healthcare and finance just a year and a half ago, but now, it’s integral to each significant deal. “I think AI is pretty much everything,” he remarked, indicating its pervasive role in business processes at TCS—whether it’s in IT, cloud services, or cybersecurity.
As industries like banking and healthcare race ahead in AI adoption—transforming areas like drug discovery—Krish noted that manufacturing and high-tech sectors aren’t lagging far behind. Initial investments have surged in areas such as financial services, and other fields are rapidly catching up.
In summary, Ashok Krish from TCS presents a compelling view of AI not as a harbinger of job losses but as a catalyst for skill transformation. With the technology evolving at an unprecedented pace, embracing AI can open up new avenues and opportunities in various industries. It seems the future of work is less about what jobs will disappear and more about how skills will adapt and grow in this new era.
Original Source: cio.economictimes.indiatimes.com