Narayana Murthy's AI Warning For Indian Youth: Smarter Minds Gain Better Productivity

Months after sparking a massive nationwide debate over his 70-hour workweek comments, Infosys co-founder N.R. Narayana Murthy has returned to the spotlight with a fresh, urgent message for young professionals. As anxiety over artificial intelligence wiping out white-collar jobs sweeps across global markets, Murthy has delivered a clear warning to India's youth: Do not panic, but you must prepare.

Speaking recently about the rapid evolution of generative AI, the tech veteran emphasized that the technology will not automatically create a level playing field. Instead, it will heavily reward those who adapt the fastest.

Addressing the widespread fear of job displacement, Murthy shared his personal experiences with modern AI tools. He highlighted that artificial intelligence is an amplifier of human capability, not just a simple replacement.

"My own experiments with using generative AI for productivity have shown me that a smarter mind will get better quality and better level of productivity from using these assistive technologies," Murthy stated.

His core argument is that professionals who possess strong critical thinking skills and domain knowledge will extract far more value from AI than those who simply rely on it to do basic, repetitive tasks.

The fear of AI-driven job losses has intensified recently, especially with companies launching advanced autonomous agents capable of handling complex software and operational workflows. This has naturally left millions of young Indian IT workers wondering about their future.

However, Murthy firmly believes that the responsibility lies entirely with the individual to evolve. He urged the youth to stop treating AI as an enemy and start mastering it as an essential daily tool.

"There is no need for youngsters to get worried," he assured. "All that they need to do is become masters of these technologies by using them in an assistive manner... by smart and hard work, by quickly learning new ideas, and by discipline."

Here at Read 1hour, we are constantly tracking the shifting tides of the global tech industry, and Murthy's perspective perfectly aligns with the current market reality. The era of getting hired simply to write basic code or perform routine data entry is coming to an end. The future belongs to those who can seamlessly integrate AI into their workflows.

Murthy concluded his message with a powerful dose of optimism for the dedicated workforce: "The world will not end for the smart and the hardworking." For India's ambitious youth, the mandate is now crystal clear—adapt, upskill, and let AI elevate your productivity to the next level.