Majority of Indian Workers Fear AI Will Replace Them — Survey Sparks Alarm

 

Majority of Indian Workers Fear AI Will Replace Them — Survey Sparks Alarm

A nationwide survey conducted across YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn reveals deep concern among Indian professionals — especially outside the formal tech sector.

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues its rapid integration into the global workforce, the fear of job displacement is no longer a theoretical concern. In India, where a large segment of the working population is young, digitally connected, and navigating a shifting employment landscape, the question “Will AI take my job?” is becoming increasingly urgent.

To explore this concern, a nationwide survey conducted by Boss Wallah gathered responses from 1,20,409 individuals across three major digital platforms — YouTube, Facebook, and LinkedIn. The goal was simple: to understand whether Indian workers, entrepreneurs, and jobseekers perceive AI as a threat to their employment.

The results suggest a growing anxiety, especially among audiences outside traditional white-collar or tech-dominated spheres.

Survey Breakdown

Total Respondents: 1,20,409

Question Asked: “Do you fear that AI will replace your job?”

Overall Results:

• 61% responded Yes
  
  

• 39% responded No
  
  

However, platform-level insights reveal a more nuanced picture:

YouTube

Respondents: 72,245 

• Yes: 61%
  
  

• No: 39%
  
  

This segment, largely composed of aspiring professionals, micro-entrepreneurs, and regional-language audiences from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, showed the highest level of concern. Many respondents work in sectors such as retail, customer support, logistics, and administration — areas where AI-driven automation is already reshaping workflows.

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Facebook

Respondents: 30,102 

• Yes: 64%
  
  

• No: 36%
  
  

Facebook users, typically more diverse in age and profession, echoed similar fears. Comments revealed uncertainty around job security in non-technical fields and confusion about how AI would impact traditional roles — especially for those without strong digital or analytical skills.

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LinkedIn

Respondents: 18,062 

• Yes: 14%
  
  

• No: 86%
  
  

In stark contrast, the LinkedIn audience — composed mostly of highly educated professionals, consultants, developers, and mid-to-senior managers — showed significantly less fear. This group is more likely to have already interacted with AI tools or to work in roles that involve creativity, leadership, or strategic thinking — areas where human input remains essential.

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What the data tells us

The divide between platforms is telling. It suggests that fear of AI is highest where digital literacy, exposure to automation, and access to upskilling opportunities are lowest.

This reflects broader socioeconomic gaps. While top-tier professionals see AI as a tool to enhance productivity, many others view it as a replacement — a threat to roles that are already underpaid, under-protected, and vulnerable to disruption.

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India’s AI Dilemma

India, with one of the world’s youngest workforces, stands on the edge of an AI transformation. The promise of automation is clear — increased efficiency, scalability, and economic growth. But so is the danger: a widening employment divide between those who can adapt, and those left behind.

If 61% of the workforce already feels threatened by AI, then this isn’t just a technology issue — it’s a policy and education crisis in the making.

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The way forward

To ensure that AI becomes a partner rather than a predator, India must focus on:

• Massive upskilling initiatives in regional languages
  
  

• Inclusion of AI-readiness in school and college curriculums
  
  

• Awareness campaigns demystifying AI for the general public
  
  

• Support systems for reskilling the self-employed, gig workers, and MSMEs
  
  

The opportunity is massive — but only if access is democratic.

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AI is not merely a buzzword or a future trend. It’s already influencing hiring patterns, job structures, and industry expectations across India. The question now is not whether it will impact jobs, but how fairly and widely we prepare our workforce for the shift.

This survey by Boss Wallah, based on responses from over 1.2 lakh Indians across digital platforms, is more than a snapshot — it's a warning bell.

We must listen — and act — before fear becomes reality.