India’s Chief Economic Adviser told a CII‑hosted summit that artificial intelligence raises worker value and will not replace jobs, emphasizing health‑care and education sectors.
Chief Economic Adviser V Anantha Nageswaran told the GCC Business Summit on July 9, 2026 that artificial intelligence raises the value of workers rather than displacing them, citing health‑care and education as priority sectors.
The statement was delivered on Thursday, July 9, 2026, during the GCC Business Summit organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in India [1]. The summit gathered industry leaders, policymakers, and technology stakeholders to discuss the growth of global capability centres (GCC) and the role of emerging technologies in the Indian economy [3].
V Anantha Nageswaran, the Chief Economic Adviser (CEA) to the Government of India, addressed the audience and emphasized that AI should be viewed as a tool that augments human productivity rather than a substitute for labour [1]. He called on industry participants to develop capabilities that meet AI challenges and noted that the government has already undertaken measures to support AI integration in key sectors [2][3].
Statement Context and Content
Nageswaran asserted that data centres and AI applications “raise the value of each person who works there” and do not replace jobs, a view he presented amid rising concerns about AI‑driven GCC expansion in the country [1]. He highlighted that AI can increase the quality and scalability of services in health‑care and education, thereby improving outcomes without reducing the need for human professionals [4].
The adviser also referenced the government’s target of creating eight million jobs annually to leverage India’s demographic dividend, stating that AI should supplement this effort rather than undermine it [4]. He linked the AI agenda to broader economic objectives, noting that technology‑enabled productivity gains are essential for sustaining growth as the labour force expands [2].
He highlighted that AI can increase the quality and scalability of services in health‑care and education, thereby improving outcomes without reducing the need for human professionals [4].
Event Setting and Participants
India’s Chief Economic Adviser Says AI Enhances Human Roles, Not Replaces Them
The GCC Business Summit was hosted by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at its flagship venue in New Delhi, according to the event programme released by CII [2][3]. The summit’s agenda included panels on technology adoption, skill development, and investment in AI‑focused GCCs, with participation from senior executives of multinational corporations, Indian start‑ups, and government officials [3].
Industry leaders in attendance included representatives from major IT services firms, manufacturing conglomerates, and health‑care providers, all of whom have been actively expanding AI capabilities within their operations [1]. The gathering served as a platform for dialogue between the public and private sectors on policy frameworks, workforce readiness, and the regulatory environment surrounding AI deployment [2].
Immediate Impact on Education and Workforce Stakeholders
The CEA’s remarks are intended to mitigate concerns among students and educators about AI‑driven job displacement, reinforcing the narrative that AI will act as an augmentative technology [1]. Educational institutions are expected to align curricula with AI skill requirements, particularly in health‑care and education programmes, to prepare graduates for roles that combine technical proficiency with domain expertise [4].
For employers, the statement underscores the need to invest in upskilling initiatives that enable existing staff to work alongside AI tools, thereby enhancing productivity and service quality [2]. Government agencies cited by Nageswaran have already announced funding for AI research labs and training schemes, which may accelerate the adoption of AI in sectors that directly affect public service delivery [3].
Key Facts
What: India’s Chief Economic Adviser stated that AI enhances human roles rather than replacing jobs.
Immediate Impact on Education and Workforce Stakeholders The CEA’s remarks are intended to mitigate concerns among students and educators about AI‑driven job displacement, reinforcing the narrative that AI will act as an augmentative technology [1].
When: July 9, 2026, at the GCC Business Summit hosted by CII.
Impact: The message aims to reassure students, educators, and employers that AI will augment, not displace, the workforce, especially in health‑care and education.
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