At the inaugural session of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia, addressed the growing anxiety surrounding job displacement. Speaking at the CII event “Democratizing AI Resources,” Chandok offered a fresh perspective on the future of work, asserting that AI acts as a “structural transformer” rather than a job destroyer.
Key Takeaways from the Speech
- The Unbundling Theory: Chandok explained that every job is essentially a “bundle of tasks.” AI will “unbundle” these roles by automating routine, repetitive components, allowing professionals to reclaim time for higher-value, creative, and strategic work.
- “Digital Colleagues”: He described the shift from AI being a tool on a laptop to a “true teammate” or “AI Agent” that operates with a user’s permission but without needing their constant involvement.
- Manufactured Intelligence: Unlike the internet or mobile revolutions, Chandok noted that the current AI wave is unique because it allows humanity, for the first time, to “manufacture intelligence”—the world’s most valuable commodity.
- A Warning on Learning: He was blunt about the necessity of adaptation, stating, “If you are not learning AI today, you are not learning anything.”
Microsoft’s $17.5 Billion Bet on India
Reinforcing its commitment to the region, Microsoft is rolling out its largest-ever investment in Asia:
- Infrastructure: $17.5 billion will be invested over the next four years (2026–2029) to expand data center capacity across Hyderabad, Chennai, and Pune.
- Sovereign Cloud: The company is launching Sovereign Public and Private Clouds tailored for Indian government and enterprise data localization needs.
- Skilling: Microsoft aims to train 20 million Indians in AI skills by 2030 to ensure the workforce is ready for this “unbundled” future.