📍 New Delhi, India - After his remarks on a 70-hour workweek sparked nationwide debate, Infosys co-founder N. R. Narayana Murthy has turned his attention to a topic far bigger: artificial intelligence and the future of work. His message to young Indians isn’t fear-mongering, but preparation.
Murthy’s recent comments come amid rising global and domestic concerns around AI potentially disrupting white-collar jobs. Rather than warning of doom, he has urged young professionals to stay calm, study the shift, and get ready for the new landscape.
AI Is a Tool, Not an Enemy
Murthy emphasized that AI should not be viewed as a threat that will automatically replace people. Instead, he said, it is a powerful tool that
rewards critical thinkers and learners— those who can combine human insight with technological ability will thrive in tomorrow’s job market.
Drawing from his own experiments with generative AI, Murthy explained that people with a smarter mindset gain more from these assistive tools because they enhance productivity instead of simply automating work.
His advice was straightforward: don’t panic. Prepare. Understand the evolving technology, learn how to use it, and adapt quickly through continuous learning. Those qualities, combined with hard work and discipline, will set young professionals apart.
The Bigger Picture for Job Seekers
Murthy didn’t dismiss the fact that AI will change many roles. Rather, he highlighted that history shows automation does not destroy human relevance - it reshapes it. While routine tasks may be handled by machines, creative problem-solving, ethical judgement, and innovative thinking remain human strengths.
This perspective pushes back against widespread fear that AI will result in mass unemployment. Instead, Murthy sees it as a chance for young Indians to sharpen their skills and become architects of opportunity, not victims of change.
From Work Hours to Future Skills
Interestingly, Murthy’s comments come on the heels of his earlier controversial call for young people to consider longer work hours - remarks that ignited debate about workplace culture in India.
Now, his focus has shifted from how much hours people should work to how intelligently they prepare for the future. It’s a subtle but powerful message: success in the AI era won’t just be about effort — it will be about foresight, adaptability, and readiness to learn.
