Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to fundamentally transform manufacturing jobs across India, a shift that will create new opportunities rather than lead to widespread job losses, according to Sunil Mathur, Managing Director and CEO of Siemens India.
Speaking on the Business Today Podcast, Mathur addressed growing concerns that increased automation and AI integration would displace human workers. He expressed a positive outlook, asserting that while the nature of jobs will evolve, the need for human talent will persist.
AI as a Productivity Enabler
Mathur drew parallels between the current AI revolution and past technological advancements, such as the transition from bicycles to motorcars or fax machines to the internet. Each of these shifts, he noted, dramatically changed job roles and boosted productivity without eliminating the need for human input, ultimately fostering new avenues for growth.
"When we went from the bicycle to the motorcar, jobs changed. When we went from the motorcar to the airplane, jobs changed. And productivity changed. And growth rates changed, right?" Mathur explained, highlighting a historical pattern of technological evolution.
He believes AI will follow a similar trajectory, opening up possibilities that do not yet exist. This transformation is crucial for India's ambition to increase manufacturing's contribution to its GDP from 15% to 25%.
The Imperative of Continuous Upskilling
A key aspect of this transition, Mathur stressed, is the necessity for continuous learning and upskilling among the workforce. As factories integrate more AI and automation, employees will need to adapt their skill sets to manage and collaborate with these advanced systems.
Mathur described AI adoption as an "evolutionary process" rather than an abrupt disruption, allowing time for workers to acquire new competencies. This ongoing commitment to education will enable individuals to seize the new opportunities that AI-driven manufacturing environments will inevitably generate.
Adapting to the Future of Work
The Siemens India CEO's perspective underscores a broader industry view that AI is a tool to enhance human capabilities and efficiency, not a replacement for them. By embracing continuous learning and adapting to new technologies, the manufacturing sector can leverage AI to drive innovation, improve productivity, and create a more dynamic and skilled workforce for the future.