Nandan Nilekani Predicts AI Could Create More Jobs Through Small Businesses in India

Artificial intelligence is transforming industries worldwide, with companies increasingly adopting AI tools and automation to improve productivity. At the same time, concerns are growing about job cuts and changing employment requirements. Against this backdrop, Infosys co-founder and chairman Nandan Nilekani has expressed optimism about India’s employment prospects. Speaking at the Bloomberg New Economy Forum 2026 in Delhi, he said India could take a leading role in making AI technology accessible to a wider population. He argued that the technology should not be viewed only through the lens of job losses, particularly as thousands of AI models and tools continue to emerge.

Nilekani highlighted the potential of India’s small-business ecosystem to generate employment. He suggested that small enterprises could use AI, open networks and digital tools to improve efficiency, reach more customers and expand their services. Businesses with only a few employees may continue to require people for practical tasks, customer needs and service delivery, even as AI handles selected activities. He believes that as more small businesses grow, many could hire additional workers, making them an important source of future employment. Although he did not provide a specific timeline, he emphasized that Indian entrepreneurs could benefit from better access to markets, capital, knowledge and AI tools. He also noted that understanding client requirements alongside coding skills could create opportunities in the technology sector.