Finance Minister Sitharaman's stand on AI job losses

• Nirmala Sitharaman addresses AI-related job loss concerns, emphasizing the necessity of human intervention in AI technology
• The Finance Minister discusses the layered debate on investments, jobs, and the need for meaningful and rewarding employment opportunities
• Sitharaman highlights the sustained growth of the Indian economy and mentions the uncertainty regarding the launch of new Production Linked Incentives

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman addressed concerns surrounding job losses due to artificial intelligence (AI) by emphasizing the crucial role of human intervention in AI technology. Assuring that AI does not operate independently, she stated, "AI also requires human intervention. It is not going to operate on its own." Responding to questions about unemployment concerns, particularly in industries heavily investing in AI and technology-driven sectors, Sitharaman highlighted the need for investments, noting that even if they do not directly create many jobs, having businesses in an area can lead to other job opportunities.

Sitharaman acknowledged the complexity of the debate, stating, "It's a layered debate. You want investment, you want jobs, and then you want meaningful jobs, and then you want rewarding, highly rewarding jobs. These are layers to be addressed." Praising the 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-reliant India) initiatives made during 2020, Sitharaman emphasized the continuity of reforms during the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in sustained growth for the Indian economy. Regarding the possibility of launching more Production Linked Incentives (PLIs), she mentioned that the government is yet to make a decision, stating, "We don’t know yet. Some people want [it], some people have not asked. The government has not taken a call. Let’s see."