AI’s impact on the labour market: Insights from Zoho’s Ramprakash Ramamoorthy

In a recent interview with The Federal, Ramprakash Ramamoorthy, Director of AI Research at Zoho Corp, addressed growing concerns regarding the potential impact of automated artificial intelligence (AI) technologies on the global labour market. While some analysts fear that AI may lead to substantial job losses, Ramamoorthy contended that the real shift will be in the way humans leverage AI, rather than in outright replacement.

Ramamoorthy pointed to the evolution of AI as being reminiscent of past technological revolutions, such as cloud computing and social media. He noted that AI is currently experiencing a maturation phase where a multitude of startups is gradually consolidating into more comprehensive solutions. In his view, AI is transitioning from predominantly consumer-facing applications to essential enterprise-level tools. “AI will eventually become as seamless and ubiquitous as cloud computing,” he stated, illustrating how AI is enhancing business operations through predictive sales analysis, automated customer interactions, and resource optimisation.

Concerns about job losses due to increasing AI adoption have been highlighted by a Goldman Sachs report estimating the potential impact on around 300 million jobs worldwide. However, Ramamoorthy maintained that while certain job roles may become obsolete, AI will concurrently create new opportunities. He emphasised the necessity for knowledge workers to embrace AI technologies and upskill to remain competitive in this evolving landscape. “Certain roles will become redundant, but AI will also create new opportunities — just like social media roles didn’t exist a decade ago,” he explained.

Ramamoorthy also underscored India’s strategic position in the global AI landscape. He pointed out the country’s youthful workforce, robust digital infrastructure, and growing investment in AI capabilities as significant advantages. Echoing sentiments from Indian Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, he called for a “Make AI in India, Make AI work for India” initiative. He anticipates that if AI solutions can effectively address India’s diverse challenges—from language barriers to urban planning—they could serve as a model for AI implementation worldwide.

The conversation also addressed the emerging field of prompt engineering, which involves the creation of precise inputs for AI systems. While this skill is gaining traction and is linked with lucrative job opportunities, Ramamoorthy cautioned that it has not yet solidified as an independent career path. Instead, it has emerged as an important complement to existing roles in software engineering, data science, and AI development.

Looking ahead, Ramamoorthy highlighted several trends anticipated to shape the AI landscape by 2025. One key development is the rise of hyper-personalisation, enabling highly tailored user experiences across various sectors, including finance and healthcare. He also noted that the proliferation of AI-generated content is set to expand the creator economy, allowing for easier production of various media forms while acknowledging the accompanying risks of deepfakes and cybersecurity breaches. He stressed the importance of improved digital literacy and stringent cybersecurity regulations in enhancing protection against AI-enabled fraud.

Furthermore, as AI technologies continue to process large volumes of personal data, concerns surrounding privacy and data governance are becoming increasingly pronounced. Ramamoorthy remarked on India’s Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act as a constructive step towards safeguarding privacy but highlighted the ongoing need for public education on responsible data use.

In summary, Ramamoorthy painted a picture of an evolving AI landscape where India is positioned to lead globally. His insights call for collaboration across academia, industry, and policymakers to foster innovation while navigating the ethical and regulatory challenges that accompany rapid technological advancement.

Source: Noah Wire Services