After Amazon laid off 14,000 employees, concerns about job security due to Artificial Intelligence have increased. Reports indicate that the threat is no longer limited to tech and programming but has extended to white-collar jobs like marketing, finance, and HR. For a youth-dominated country like India, these signs are considered even more serious.
AI Jobs Impact: E-commerce giant Amazon has heightened concerns in the job market by announcing the global reduction of 14,000 corporate jobs. This decision by the company raises new questions about the increasing role of Artificial Intelligence and its impact on the human workforce. These layoffs are not limited to America or Europe but have started to show effects in countries like India, where a large number of young people depend on the corporate sector. Experts believe that the rapid advancement of AI technology has also put jobs in sectors such as marketing, finance, and auditing at risk.
Amazon Layoffs Intensify AI Concerns
The decision by e-commerce company Amazon to eliminate 14,000 corporate jobs has intensified the global debate surrounding the growing role of Artificial Intelligence and job security. Reports indicate that the threat is no longer limited to coding or entry-level tech roles but could also impact white-collar jobs such as marketing, finance, auditing, and HR. For a youth-dominated country like India, these signs are even more serious, as a large number of graduates rely on corporate jobs here.
AI's Impact Rapidly Evident in India
While Amazon's recent layoffs may not have directly impacted India, the job roles that were cut raise questions about the preparedness of the Indian market. Companies in Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and other tech hubs are already shifting to AI-based tools. This is increasing pressure on professionals who, until now, considered digital and tech skills as career safeguards.
Experts believe that the rapidly growing capabilities of generative AI could also impact roles in the future that involve tasks such as decision-making, data analysis, and content creation. McKinsey has also adopted its AI tool, Lilli, which can perform tasks like data presentation and analysis.
What Research Says
A joint study by Northwestern University and MIT indicates that language-based AI will first impact jobs where communication and data processing are primary tasks. Previously, it was believed that AI would displace less-educated workers, but new findings suggest that changes could accelerate even in sectors like banking and auditing.
This means the impact could be reversed this time, with some roles requiring higher education and specialization also falling within the scope of automation. This shift could most significantly affect the initial rungs of corporate careers.
Significant Impact on India's Youth
India has over 370 million young people, and urban youth unemployment is already above 18 percent. If companies continue to replace entry-level roles with AI, it could become difficult for millions of new graduates to find initial employment. A report from the London School of Economics suggests that when entry-level opportunities decline, pathways for skill development and career growth also weaken.
This situation is challenging for a developing country like India, as a large population begins their careers in private companies, and the pressure from AI could impact both their earnings and their progression.
