Last Updated:April 28, 2026, 20:33 IST

The Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister highlighted that the disruptive power of AI is no longer a distant possibility but an imminent structural shift

Shivakumar’s comments at the summit also tied into the broader narrative of Bengaluru’s global standing. File pic

Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar has issued a stark warning regarding the future of employment in India’s tech capital, stating that artificial intelligence (AI) could potentially displace up to 50 per cent of current jobs in Bengaluru and other regions. Speaking at the Network18 Future of Work Summit, Shivakumar described the rapid rise of automated intelligence as a “major challenge” that requires immediate and strategic government intervention to protect the livelihoods of millions.

The 50 Per Cent Displacement Warning

During his address, the Deputy Chief Minister highlighted that the disruptive power of AI is no longer a distant possibility but an imminent structural shift. He noted that Bengaluru, as a global hub for IT and knowledge work, stands at the epicentre of this transformation. Shivakumar’s estimate that half of the workforce could see their roles compromised reflects growing concerns among policymakers that traditional entry-level and mid-level white-collar tasks are being rapidly subsumed by intelligent systems.

He emphasised that while Karnataka remains a leader in technology adoption, the sheer pace of AI-driven automation could outstrip the state’s capacity to create new roles. The challenge, according to Shivakumar, is not just about technology but about managing a massive labour transition without causing widespread socio-economic instability.

Human-Centric Policy and Global Competitiveness

Addressing the “Future of Work” theme, Shivakumar argued that the government’s role must evolve from merely attracting investment to actively safeguarding human capital. He called for a human-centric blueprint for digital innovation, where AI is used to augment human intelligence rather than replace it. He pointed out that for Bengaluru to maintain its status as the “Silicon Valley of India”, it must lead the world in responsible AI implementation that prioritises worker reskilling and inclusive growth.

The Deputy Chief Minister also touched upon the necessity of public-private partnerships to bridge the burgeoning “skills gap”. He suggested that educational institutions and tech giants must collaborate to ensure the next generation is trained for “AI-augmented” roles—those that require human creativity, empathy, and complex problem-solving—which remain beyond the current reach of algorithms.

Infrastructure and the ‘Silicon Valley’ Retention

Shivakumar’s comments at the summit also tied into the broader narrative of Bengaluru’s global standing. He maintained that despite the challenges posed by AI and infrastructure pressures, the city’s talent ecosystem remains unmatched. By addressing the AI job threat head-on, the Karnataka government aims to signal to global firms that the state is proactive in managing the complexities of the fourth industrial revolution.

As the summit concluded, the message from the Deputy Chief Minister was clear: the era of knowledge work being purely human-led is ending. The survival of the workforce in Bengaluru will depend on how effectively India’s digital economy can pivot from traditional outsourcing to high-value, AI-resilient innovation.

Read More