NDTV Profit · 23 Oct, 15:37 · Technology briefing

'AI Agents Could Outnumber Humans': Mike Walsh Explains India's Big Opportunity

Mike Walsh argues that autonomous AI agents may soon outnumber the human workforce, presenting a significant economic opportunity for India.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Mike Walsh argues that autonomous AI agents may soon outnumber the human workforce, presenting a significant economic opportunity for India. He suggests that this technological shift could redefine global labour dynamics, positioning India to capitalise on its large talent pool by integrating these systems effectively. The report highlights how businesses might leverage AI agents to scale operations rapidly, potentially reducing reliance on traditional human labour for routine tasks. This development underscores the urgent need for strategic adaptation in workforce planning and technology adoption across industries.

Employer demand for AI Strategy skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

You must adapt to a landscape where AI agents handle routine execution. Your value now lies in oversight, strategy, and complex problem-solving. Professionals in operations, management, and technical fields should prioritise understanding how to direct autonomous systems. Focus on developing skills in AI governance, strategic planning, and human-AI collaboration. Do not compete with machines on speed; instead, excel in judgement, ethics, and creative direction. Audit your current role: which tasks can be automated? Invest time in learning AI strategy and data literacy. Position yourself as the architect of these systems, not just a user. This shift demands proactive upskilling to remain indispensable.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are AI Strategy, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Business And Management — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

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