Piyush Goyal directs ministry to identify AI-proof sectors to protect jobs

India's commerce and industry ministry has begun mapping economic sectors resilient to artificial intelligence disruption, aiming to shield domestic employment while channelling technological advances to improve productivity.

Speaking to Indian researchers and students in Germany, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said the government is focusing on fields where automation enhances human output rather than displacing workers. The policy initiative aims to capitalise on India's demographic strengths, traditional craft industries, and service expertise.

"I got my ministry to start working on what are the AI-proof professions," Goyal said. "After all, we have to plan as a nation for so many millions of people. What are the sectors where the AI can at max add to efficiency, not necessarily replace [the human workforce]."

Goyal singled out occupations steeped in domestic heritage, such as handlooms, handicrafts, culinary arts, and tourism, as areas where algorithms cannot replicate human creativity and tradition. He also highlighted on-the-ground journalism, noting that physical reporting and direct observation remain irreplaceable.

Safeguarding domestic employment

The initiative comes as automation alters white-collar work worldwide. Government think tank NITI Aayog warned in October that routine roles such as quality assurance engineers and basic technical support face redundancy by 2031. However, the think tank projected that targeted retraining could create up to four million specialised positions across the emerging AI economy.

Rather than resisting technological adoption, New Delhi is pursuing a dual track: protecting vulnerable labour markets while financing domestic technology development.

The central government has allocated ₹10,371.92 crore under the IndiaAI Mission, backing 20 domestic foundation model projects including Sarvam AI, Gnani.AI, BharatGen, and Avataar AI.

International technology partnerships

India's expanding technology footprint is also driving bilateral trade and investment. Speaking at the India-Poland Business Forum in Bengaluru, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for deeper partnerships across artificial intelligence, digital manufacturing, and the space sector.

Tusk noted that Indian and Polish firms could pool research and development capabilities to build AI systems for industrial automation, diagnostic healthcare, and earth observation. During the summit, Poland's TZMO Group confirmed an ₹80 crore investment to construct a five-acre manufacturing plant in Karnataka's Kolar district, expected to generate 1,000 jobs.

Goyal said India will coordinate with diplomatic missions across the world through the Ministry of External Affairs to expand domestic representation at premier global technology events, including Slush in Helsinki and Hannover Messe. He also invited overseas Indian engineers and scientists to return, citing improved research infrastructure and robust economic expansion, with the International Monetary Fund projecting 7% GDP growth for the current fiscal year.