Which jobs can AI not replace? Piyush Goyal names 4 sectors India can lead in
Berlin: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has identified handicrafts, handloom, culinary arts and tourism as sectors where India could take a global leadership role as the government looks for professions less vulnerable to artificial intelligence (AI).
The Commerce Ministry is working to identify jobs where AI can improve efficiency without necessarily replacing human workers, Goyal said while addressing Indian science and technology researchers and students in Germany on Friday.
“I got my ministry to start working on what are the AI-proof professions. After all, we have to plan as a nation for so many millions of people. What are the sectors where AI can at max add to efficiency, not necessarily replace (human workforce),” he said.
Four sectors where India can lead
Goyal said India had distinctive strengths in handicrafts, handloom, culinary arts and tourism, where traditional skills and human creativity remain important.
“Our handicraft, handloom... no amount of AI can replace that,” he said, adding that the government would focus on developing such areas to create opportunities for the country’s 1.4 billion people.
Asked whether these sectors would receive government incentives, Goyal said support would depend on the needs and opportunities in each area.
“It'll be a mix of several initiatives, some privately led, some government led, some people led, some opportunity led,” he said.
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Government looks to bring Indian researchers back
Goyal also said the government was exploring ways to encourage Indian researchers, engineers and scientists working abroad to return and contribute to the country’s development.
He said he had asked Indian researchers and students in Germany to explain what support they would need to consider working in India.
According to Goyal, attracting skilled professionals requires more than financial incentives. A supportive environment for research and innovation is also important.
He said he would discuss the issue with government and private educational institutions, academia, research organisations and industry to explore partnerships between researchers and businesses.
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Indian students in Germany keen to return, says Goyal
Goyal said discussions with Indian students in Germany indicated that many were interested in returning home and contributing to India’s economic growth.
The minister said the student community was increasingly looking beyond employment opportunities abroad and considering how it could contribute to India’s development.
Germany has around 3,30,000 people of Indian origin and nearly 60,000 to 70,000 Indian students.
Goyal was in Germany for discussions with government and private-sector leaders on strengthening trade and investment ties between the two countries.