AI could eliminate 40-50% of white-collar jobs

Entrepreneur Arindam Paul has raised concerns about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the job market. In a recent LinkedIn post, he claimed that AI could eliminate 40-50% of white-collar jobs, posing a serious threat to the middle class. Paul, who co-founded Atomberg Technologies, stressed that many people, including leaders, do not fully grasp how significant a threat AI can be. He warned that these job losses could endanger the economic stability of the middle class. He also pointed out that India's manufacturing sector has not generated enough jobs that offer decent salaries. He specifically noted that the IT and business process outsourcing (BPO) sectors may face major reductions in workforce. While he believes some large companies could continue to thrive, they will not employ as many people as before. Paul also highlighted the contradiction in how companies view AI, noting that while it may boost profits, it could lead to fewer jobs and less consumer spending. Reactions to his post were mixed. Some people agreed with Paul, while others pointed out that AI could create new job opportunities, similar to how computers did in the past. One commenter, Pranav Dandekar, challenged Paul’s view, suggesting that he underestimated AI’s potential to generate new job categories. Another user mentioned concerns about a skills gap, as many new AI jobs will require advanced skills that are not easily attainable.