AI to impact 22% of jobs by 2030, claims report:40% companies to prioritise degree holders with AI skills

India is witnessing a major upheaval in sectors like IT, law, commerce, translation, design, and library sciences. AI tools have either eliminated or significantly shrunk the workforce for which millions of students earn degrees every year. An HR company TeamLease claims that 40% of companies consider ‘hybrid skills,’ or knowledge of AI tools along with a degree, as mandatory. NASSCOM’s 2024 report claimed that 82% of BCA and MCA graduates in the country do not have formal training in AI tools. According to a report by the World Economic Forum, jobs will remain with those who can increase productivity by up to 40% using AI tools. The IBM Institute for Business Value report states that AI will not replace people, but people who use AI will replace those who don’t. According to the ‘Future of Jobs Report 2025,’ 22% of jobs could be affected by 2030. Meanwhile, between 2021 and 2025, China’s universities cancelled or suspended more than 12,200 undergraduate programs, while launching approximately 10,200 new ones. ‘If the method doesn’t change, degrees will have no value’, says expert Bhaskar discussed the impact of AI with Pankaj Bansal, co-founder and HR of tech companies ‘PeopleStrong’ and ‘Tagged’, and asked him 10 questions. Traditional degrees will not be completely useless, but their form is diminishing. If the method and content of study do not change, those degrees will have no value. The market’s need for average students who only rely on theory or rote learning is ending. One must upgrade. 2. What can those who are pursuing a degree do? Students who are currently in their second or third year should start working on live projects. Obtain a professional license for AI tools, work on it day and night for 6 months, and create software or websites. 3. What should those who have completed their degree do? The best way is – internships and practical projects. If you are not getting an opportunity in a big company, then approach small startups, NGOs, or a factory or shop in your local area. Understand their problems and solve them with AI. 4. How much value will ‘graduation’ retain? In India, graduation ‘stamping’ is currently necessary for shortlisting job applications, and this situation will continue for the next 3 to 5 years. But after that, the New Education Policy (NEP)’s ‘5.5 credit score’ will replace it, where points will be awarded through practical work and professional courses. In the future, people will ask if you are a ‘5.5 scaler’ or not. In the tech world, after your first job, no one will ask for your degree. 5. What is a good way to get a job in such a situation? The best way is to become a ’10x engineer’ or ’10x professional’, meaning someone who alone can handle the work of 10 ordinary people. If you can save a company time and cost with the help of AI, then where an initial package of Rs 5 lakh was offered earlier, today companies are willing to offer an initial salary of Rs 25 lakh. Companies don’t want ‘average’ people, but rather people who get the job done. 6. Are job claims from AI courses true? Absolutely not. Getting an AI certificate from any institute running on the street does not guarantee a job. An AI certificate can help in shortlisting a CV, but a job will only be secured if there is a basic qualification, practical knowledge of AI, and the assessment test is cleared. 7. What and how much is its impact on entry-level, i.e., fresher jobs? In the initial phase, there is certainly pressure, because the basic work that 10 people used to do together is now being handled by two people with the help of AI. Traditional companies like Infosys, Wipro, and TCS have initially stopped or postponed fresher hiring. But this is only a short-term trend; in the long term, there will be a net addition (increase in jobs) in the job market. 8. When IT companies stop recruitment, where will new young people find jobs? India is currently experiencing a flood of Global Capability Centers (GCCs). There are more than 4000 GCCs in the country, and two new centers are opening every week. These centers are hiring young people with AI skills at very high packages and salaries. Additionally, recruitment in traditional companies is slowly starting to open up again. 9. Will AI completely replace humans? Is its cost less than that of humans? Global organizations are beginning to understand that the cost of AI (token and GPU processing cost) is not less than human cost. Many startups are getting such high AI bills that they prefer to hire two humans instead of AI tools. Moreover, in tasks that require human judgment and connecting with people, AI can never replace humans. 10. Which human qualities and sectors will humans remain at the forefront in? In the era of AI, four human qualities have become most valuable: Aggregation Ability (understanding how to connect things), Decision Making, High EQ (Emotional Quotient), and the skill to express oneself effectively. If we talk about sectors, roles in Hospitality, Data Sciences, Sales, and AI-assisted specialists (like doctors or journalists who know AI) will always remain secure and strong. China abolished 12,000 degrees, launched AI courses In 4 years, China’s universities abolished or suspended more than 12,200 undergraduate programs, while launching about 10,200 new ones. Many of these cuts were focused on arts, humanities, foreign languages, and management. This is because the Chinese government is pressuring universities to produce talent for AI, semiconductors, robotics, and other strategic industries. Karnataka Government in India Reduced Seats in 1300 Courses Currently, in India, citing low admissions and other factors, the Karnataka government has discontinued 458 BA, BSc, and BCom combinations in government colleges for the academic year 2026-27. Additionally, it reduced seats in 1,300+ courses.