Murthy’s optimistic stance is rooted in personal experimentation. The 78-year-old pioneer revealed that he has integrated generative AI into his own workflow, specifically using tools like ChatGPT to draft his speeches and lectures. The results, he noted, were transformative: a task that previously demanded 30 hours of meticulous labor was condensed into just five. This five-fold leap in productivity, Murthy argues, proves that technology does not replace the human mind but rather amplifies the capabilities of a "smarter mind" capable of defining complex requirements and asking the right questions.
Drawing a historical parallel to the 1970s, Murthy recalled the fierce resistance from labor unions when computers were first introduced to the banking sector. "Everybody said jobs would go away," he remarked, "but jobs have multiplied by a factor of 40 to 50." He believes AI will follow a similar trajectory, moving workers up the value chain to solve more intricate global problems while automating mundane, repetitive tasks. His message to the next generation was one of empowerment rather than caution, urging them to become "masters of these technologies" through "smart and hard work."
The conversation featured a spectrum of industry perspectives, with former HDFC Bank CEO Aditya Puri offering a tempered view. Puri suggested that both the euphoria and the terror surrounding AI are currently overstated. While acknowledging that some roles will inevitably disappear, he predicted that "Agentic AI" would work in tandem with humans rather than replacing them entirely—a transition he expects will unfold over decades rather than overnight. This balanced outlook contrasts with the more somber warnings from AI "Godfather" Geoffrey Hinton, who has cautioned that without significant policy intervention, the productivity gains from AI could disproportionately enrich corporations and exacerbate economic inequality.
As the debate over the "future of work" intensifies, Murthy’s latest intervention shifts the focus from structural threat to individual adaptability. By framing the AI era as a test of discipline and critical thinking, he reinforces the idea that the Indian IT industry's next chapter will be written by those who view the machine not as a competitor, but as the ultimate assistive engine for human ingenuity.
About The Author
Comment List