IIT Madras Director V. Kamakoti has said artificial intelligence will not reduce employment opportunities but is likely to create more jobs as workers learn to adapt to new technologies.
AI Will Change Jobs Rather Than Replace Them
Speaking to reporters in Salem on Sunday, August 9, Kamakoti compared the rise of AI with the introduction of cash-counting machines in banks. He said bank employees did not lose their jobs when machines replaced manual cash counting. Instead, they learned to operate the new technology.
He said a similar transition is taking place with AI, with organisations increasingly training employees to use AI tools. IIT Madras is also running its AI for All initiative to help people build AI-related skills.
Tier-II Cities Can Boost Higher Education
Speaking at the diamond jubilee year global alumni day event of the Government College of Engineering in Karuppur, Kamakoti highlighted the role of tier-II cities such as Salem and Coimbatore in expanding access to higher education for students from rural areas.
He said encouraging rural students to pursue higher education is an important part of the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
Tamil Nadu Leads in Higher Education Enrolment
Kamakoti noted that Tamil Nadu has a gross enrolment ratio of around 50% in higher education, compared with about 30% across India.
Under the National Education Policy 2020, the national gross enrolment ratio in higher education is targeted to reach 50% by 2035.
Alumni Support Strengthens Institutions
He also stressed the importance of alumni contributions to educational institutions. Citing IIT Madras as an example, Kamakoti said the institute has around 60,000 alumni, with one alumnus recently contributing ₹238 crore as a grant.
He added that alumni can also support institutions by mentoring and guiding students.
