India’s Tech-First Narrative: A Call for Balance

India’s tech-first narrative has come under scrutiny, particularly after Anupam Mittal, the founder of Shaadi.com and a judge on Shark Tank India, shared an image of an elderly woman delivering goods. He emphasized the importance of reassessing the country’s relentless push towards AI and advanced technologies without considering the realities on the ground.

Mittal noted, “Saw this woman the other day, and thought maybe she should learn Python,” and added, “Perhaps she can fine-tune an LLM too, while delivering your groceries.” This statement was not merely a jest; it served as a critical examination of India’s narrow focus on technology policy.

The Reality of Employment in India

“Every time I say India needs jobs along with deep-tech, someone sends me a whitepaper on AI skilling. Essentially repeating what is done in the West without grasping our unique circumstances,” he explained.

Mittal recognized the sweeping changes AI and automation bring to global job markets. Companies like Microsoft, Meta, and Google anticipate that 40–50% of jobs will soon be AI-driven. “Yes, true!” he stated. “But those economies feature lower population densities, higher formal employment, and substantial reskilling programmes.”

The Need for Institutional Support

Reflecting on his experiences in the U.S., Mittal highlighted the effectiveness of systematic upskilling. “When I worked in the US, every new technology or software required us to be trained rapidly—not just individuals but the entire organization. That exemplifies what a robust skilling infrastructure should look like.”

India’s Current Situation

In stark contrast, he indicated that India is not adequately prepared. “Most people are self-employed. India is not there yet.” In this context, he praised the gig economy as a vital support system, stating, “It has provided jobs for millions. In a nation that hosts roughly 20% of the world’s population, that’s a significant achievement!”

Challenges of a Deep-Tech Focus

Mittal cautioned against viewing deep-tech as a panacea for all issues, warning, “When we start to promote deep-tech as the sole remedy, we risk jeopardising the livelihoods of over a billion people.”

He recognized India’s dual reality, asserting, “Yes, we have highly skilled and exceptionally talented individuals poised to create the next generation of big tech from India—but we also have a substantial population lacking essential skills that must be considered.”

A Call for Balanced Development

“India needs to tackle both these challenges at the same time, doesn’t it?” he concluded. “What are your thoughts?”