Job security continues to be a point of concern
As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to redefine global industries, Andhra Pradesh’s growing IT sector stands at a critical juncture one filled with both immense opportunity and looming uncertainty.
The state government has been aggressively championing AI as a driver of economic growth and is actively positioning itself as a future-ready tech hub.
With 91 IT and electronics firms pledging a staggering Rs 91,839 crore in investments these are projected to generate over 1.4 lakh jobs, a significant milestone for the region’s digital economy.
Yet, amid this rapid digital transformation, concerns are growing over job security, particularly within traditional IT roles. As AI and automation technologies become mainstream, experts warn that many tasks once performed by human professionals—such as coding, software testing, and maintenance—are now being streamlined or replaced entirely by intelligent systems.
“Artificial Intelligence is poised to significantly transform Andhra Pradesh’s IT and hiring landscape.
It will transform and reimagine the way we work and it will redefine the Job roles, eliminate jobs with repetitive function and create new intellectual job roles” said Mr Bala Prasad Peddigari, Chief Innovation Officer and Global Head – Technology Advisory Services at IT behemoth Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) speaking to Vizag Industrial Scan.
Concurred Mr Murali Krishna Gannamani, Chairman of CII, Andhra Pradesh, and Managing Director of Fluentgrid and said “Artificial Intelligence is not just transforming the IT industry—it’s redefining its very foundation”.
The shift is also changing the nature of hiring as Mr Murali Manohar Rao Bulusu, Vice President of Strategy at Sankhya Technologies, highlighted a growing need for more versatile professionals. “This evolution is reshaping hiring priorities.
Beyond technical skills, we’re now looking for talent with adaptability, cross-domain thinking, and a deep understanding of how AI integrates with real-world business challenges.” A recent wave of layoffs in the tech sector underscores the urgency of the moment.
While automation promises efficiency and innovation, it’s also forcing companies to recalibrate. “Layoffs are an unfortunate but often necessary recalibration during periods of rapid change,” said a senior industry leader.
Some have seen a 20% drop in placement opportunities for conventional coding roles this year. Another IT veteran from the state Mr Krishna Mohan Gadiparthi, Founder of Inspiredge, pointed to the increasing reliance on AI platforms.
“These systems can now deliver application code and testing with unprecedented speed and accuracy. Programmers and testers are being displaced, but the value chain is also being enhanced AI is giving businesses a competitive edge and unlocking new avenues.” To mitigate job displacement, industry voices are calling for a sharp focus on reskilling and upskilling the current workforce.
The objective: to equip professionals with the AI-related skills required to thrive in this new landscape. “The state’s collaboration with Microsoft, particularly through the Microsoft AI Digital Labs initiative, aims to train over two lakh youths in AI and advanced technologies over the next three years, enhancing employability and aligning with global industry demands” noted TCS’s Mr Bala Prasad.
IT companies are also adopting hybrid workforce models. In these setups, AI systems handle data-heavy, repetitive processes, while human employees bring in creativity, empathy, decision making, & client engagement.
This shift demands a new kind of professional someone who is not only tech-savvy but also agile, collaborative, and capable of working alongside AI tools.
Therefore as AP embraces AI-led innovation, the real challenge is clear: to ensure that transformation does not come at the cost of talent, but instead, empowers it for the future.
