Former NITI Aayog Vice Chairman Rajiv Kumar has called for deeper and more regular engagement between policymakers and young people in India, arguing that the country cannot ignore rising anxiety over employment. His remarks focused on how rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence are changing expectations around work and creating fresh uncertainty about future jobs.
Kumar said the concerns of the younger generation need to be heard more clearly, especially at a time when many are questioning what technological change will mean for career opportunities. The message is that policy discussions should not happen in isolation, because the people most affected by shifts in the labour market are looking for clarity and direction.
He also linked the issue to India’s broader economic path, stressing that strong growth will be necessary if the country wants to meet its larger development goals. In that context, the debate over AI is not only about innovation, but also about whether enough employment and opportunity can be created for a large and ambitious youth population.
The comments add to a wider conversation in India about balancing technology adoption with job creation. As AI becomes more influential across industries, Kumar’s intervention underscores the need for a closer dialogue between government and youth so concerns about employment, growth and opportunity are addressed together.
