New Delhi, February 2026 — Harish Mehta, the co-founder of NASSCOM, has issued a powerful rebuttal to the growing “AI panic” within the Indian IT sector, asserting that rather than a job-killer, Artificial Intelligence is currently driving a massive talent shortage in the country.

In a wide-ranging discussion on the future of work, Mehta addressed the fear that computer-based roles could be obsolete within two years. He dismissed this theory entirely, noting that the demand for skilled professionals is actually outpacing supply, with an estimated shortage of over 500,000 AI professionals in India today.

The Productivity Force Multiplier

Mehta emphasized that AI should be viewed as a tool to augment human capability rather than replace it. He pointed out that leveraging AI, particularly through techniques like prompt engineering, has the potential to improve an individual’s productivity by 9 to 10 times.

“No company would like to fire you once you build that knowledge of how to use AI effectively for your work,” Mehta stated, urging employees to move past their psychological fears and embrace a “continuous learner” attitude. He noted that the industry has already reskilled approximately 2 million engineers in AI, showcasing a massive shift toward “AI-first thinking”.

Beyond the IT Bubble: New Career Horizons

For middle-level managers and senior workers worried about their current roles, Mehta highlighted that opportunities are expanding far beyond traditional IT service providers.

• Corporate India Demand: Fortune 1000 companies in India are aggressively seeking AI talent for internal operations.
• Domain Expertise: There is a growing need for CIOs and CTOs who can apply AI within specific sectors like Pharmaceuticals or Finance.
• The Learning Curve: The caveat is flexibility; professionals must be willing to learn the “domain” of the corporation they join—such as pharma—to effectively apply AI solutions.

Freshers and the Future Leadership

While recruitment for freshers saw a temporary slowdown as companies focused on reskilling, Mehta pointed out that major firms like Cognizant are again hiring young talent. He argued that young workers are often the “best talent” for an AI-driven world because they carry no “legacy inhibitions” and can adopt new technologies more fluidly.

Bottom Line

The core message for India’s tech workforce is clear: algorithmic thinking remains as critical as ever, just as it was during the shifts from COBOL to C and Java. The jobs are not vanishing; they are evolving. Those who master the $20-a-month tools of the AI era will not only shield their careers but likely find themselves in higher demand than ever before.