The minister said the government would also focus on sectors where India has distinct strengths. Photo: @PiyushGoyal
'Asked ministry to identify AI-proof professions', says Piyush Goyal
Goyal highlights handicrafts, handlooms, culinary arts and tourism as sectors where human skills can complement AI as India prepares for changes in employment
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has asked his ministry to identify professions less likely to be replaced by artificial intelligence (AI), as the government prepares for changes in the job market. He said that the focus would be on sectors where AI can raise efficiency without replacing human workers.
Speaking to Indian researchers and students in Germany, Goyal said India needed to plan for the employment needs of millions of people as technology advances.
“I got my ministry to start working on what are the AI-proof professions. After all, we have to plan as a nation for so many millions of people. What are the sectors where the AI can at max add to efficiency, not necessarily replace (human workforce),” he said as quoted by ANI.
Handicrafts, handlooms sectors in focus
The Union Minister said that India could build its position in areas such as handicrafts, handlooms, culinary arts and tourism, where human skills and creativity remain important. He said traditional Indian crafts were unlikely to be replaced by AI.
“Also, given the traditional skills that many of us in India acquire. So, our handicraft, handloom no amount of AI can replace that,” he said.
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The minister said the government would also focus on sectors where India has distinct strengths, with the aim of improving living standards for its 1.4 billion people.
“There are many, many areas where I think we have some very special strengths which we will be focusing on also developing simultaneously to ensure that 1.4 billion people have a better life in the future,” Goyal said.
Incentives to depend on sector needs
Asked whether these sectors would receive incentives, he said the approach would depend on the needs and opportunities in each field, with initiatives coming from different sources.
“It will be a mix of several initiatives, some privately led, some government led, some people led, some opportunity led,” he said.
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Goyal also spoke about efforts to bring Indian researchers, engineers and scientists working abroad back to the country. He said he had asked researchers and students in Germany to explain what would encourage them to work in India.
“And surprisingly, I realize it’s not just about money, it’s about the enabling environment, the support of the ecosystem,” he said.