AI isn’t going to take jobs anymore. It’s already here, just waiting in call centres, editing rooms, HR screens and offices. This time, the worry about new technology isn’t blown out of proportion, even though new tech usually makes people fear. Now, many studies from India and around the world agree- some jobs are much more at risk than others.
This doesn’t mean that people will lose their jobs right away. But this does mean that these jobs are changing quickly, and sometimes the workers lose out.
These are the five jobs in India most likely to be affected by AI, based on data and studies
- Data entry and back-office processing jobs
Let’s begin with the clear one
India has long been the centre of back-office work. This work includes data entry, form filling, payment handling, and simple financial tasks. But these are the kinds of jobs that AI and technology are best at taking over, since they are routine and follow strict rules.
Clerical jobs and those that rely heavily on data are at the greatest risk of requiring retraining due to technology. According to a study by NASSCOM–BCG, almost 40% of India’s current workforce will need to be retrained by 2027.
The World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2023 says that data entry workers are among the fastest-declining jobs worldwide.
To put it simply, if you spend most of your workday doing things like copying, moving, checking, or organising information, AI can already do those tasks faster, more cheaply, and without taking breaks.
2. Customer support and call centre roles
Because call centres needed staff, they were seen as “safe” for a long time. The safety net is going away.
AI apps, voice assistants, and automated customer service systems are now handling everything from questions about banks to flight cancellations. And they are improving at understanding Indian accents and languages spoken in different areas.
According to a study by the McKinsey Global Institute, AI tools already on the market can handle up to 30% of customer service work.
Gartner projects that, in India alone, more than 75% of customer transactions will be handled entirely by AI with no human assistance by 2026. Humans won’t go away entirely, but the call centre jobs that hire many people at the entry-level are disappearing quickly.
3. Content writing and basic journalism roles
This one makes people uneasy, especially in the media and internet production worlds.
In just seconds, AI can write product descriptions, SEO pieces, listicles, sports recaps, financial explainers, and even star news. Yes, a lot of Indian businesses are already using it.
A Reuters Institute Digital News Report found that newsrooms around the world are experimenting with AI-generated content, especially for routine reporting. At the same time, a PwC India study says jobs in content creation and media are changing rapidly due to AI, and the need for writers is declining while that for editors, fact-checkers, and planners is increasing.
The truth is, unique thought isn’t in danger, but formula-based writing really is. AI will create anything it can make with models.
4. Accounting, bookkeeping, and basic finance roles
Another big source of stress is traditional financial work.
Invoices, expenses, taxes, wages, and safety checks are all handled by AI tools with minimal human intervention.
Almost half of all finance jobs can be done by machines, especially those at the beginning level, according to Deloitte’s Global Human Capital Trends. In India, the ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants of India) has publicly admitted that technology is changing the field and pushing accountants into advising and strategic roles.
Over time, bookkeepers and young accountants who don’t learn new skills may have fewer job chances.
5. Human Resources and Recruitment Screening Roles
A lot of people are surprised by this one.
Artificial intelligence can now look at papers, choose people, analyse interview answers, and even figure out who will leave the company. Big companies in India already use AI to look at thousands of applications in just a few minutes.
A study by the Harvard Business Review found that AI-based hiring tools are being used more and more to speed up the hiring process and reduce bias, though they don’t always succeed. The Future of Recruiting study from LinkedIn says automatic screening is now the norm, meaning entry-level HR employees are used less.
This doesn’t mean that human resources is coming to an end. This means that HR roles that are heavy on office work are being phased out, while roles focused on people are growing.
Should AI scare Indians?
Not afraid but very aware.
A World Bank study on AI and developing economies says that countries such as India will see job changes rather than job losses, but only if workers are quickly trained for new roles.
AI isn’t the real danger. It’s not changing, but everything else is.
Repetitive jobs with many people and little variation are the most at risk. Humans are still very much needed for work that requires decision-making, creativity, understanding emotions, and knowledge of different cultures.
AI isn’t taking over jobs from people. It is taking over jobs
In India’s quickly changing job market, those who adapt will remain important. The others may gradually fade into the background, but they won’t be noticed or remembered.
A versatile writer mainly works on trending news, daily updates from politics, business, crime, current affairs and entertainment.
