HUMAN SKILLS IN TECH

Can AI truly replace human friendships? Mark Zuckerberg believes it can, but a psychologist weighs in
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg suggests AI could fill the growing void of friendship, but psychologists warn it's a dangerous illusion. While AI companions offer convenience, experts say they lack emotional depth, authenticity, and real-world benefits. Relying on them may worsen loneliness and mental health. Human connection, not code, remains irreplaceable in building meaningful, lasting relationships.

Development through the lens of artificial intelligence
Developing nations face a dual challenge: fostering AI innovation for growth while mitigating job displacement. Overcoming the digital divide requires international collaboration to build robust digital infrastructure and equip the workforce with essential skills. Investing in reskilling initiatives and ensuring public access to AI, particularly in rural areas, are crucial for emerging economies to thrive in an AI-driven world.

Indian tech workers could save half a day weekly by 2029 using automation: Report
By 2029, technology professionals in India could save up to half a working day each week by using automation and augmentation tools, according to new research from global learning platform Pearson. The report, Skills Outlook: Solving the Tech Talent Gap from Within, highlights how companies can address skill shortages by redesigning roles, automating routine tasks, and investing in current employees.

Why is India emerging as a strong market amid global economic changes? BlackRock's Ben Powell explains
BlackRock Investment Institute's Ben Powell highlights India's strengthening market position due to strategic geopolitical advantages and potential benefits from declining oil prices. Despite anticipating a US economic contraction, they remain overweight on US equities, driven by the powerful AI mega-force boosting large companies. Powell emphasizes the need for selective investment in a fractured world, favoring both the US and India.

Techie’s cry for ‘purpose on weekends’ sparks conversation on identity burnout in corporate life. Netizens say, ‘you’re not alone'
A Reddit post by an Indian developer questioning the “purposelessness” of weekends has sparked a viral conversation on identity, burnout, and the creeping dominance of AI. What began as a simple query about side projects turned into a deep dive into the corporate soul. Are we working... or just forgetting who we are beyond the code?

Is this the era of humanities over engineering?
Carl Sagan's vision of a broad education encompassing humanities alongside STEM may be returning, driven by AI advancements. Agentic AI, capable of performing tasks independently, shifts the focus to human skills like critical thinking and asking insightful questions. As AI handles technical tasks, humanities provide crucial frameworks for understanding context, ethics, and creativity.
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"Today, India is emerging as global hub for film production, digital content, gaming": PM Modi at Waves Summit
PM Modi highlighted that this presents a significant opportunity for India's animation and graphics industry, urging stakeholders to leverage this expansion for greater international reach. He called upon India's young creators to drive the nation's Orange Economy forward, acknowledging that their passion and hard work are shaping a new wave of creativity.
Techie calls out startup for ghosting after interview, gets exposed by recruiter in viral clash: 'Skills can be nurtured, behaviour can’t'
A tech job applicant’s public complaint about being ghosted by a startup backfired when the recruiter responded with a scathing post, calling him out for past misogynistic tweets and failed background checks. The fiery exchange went viral, sparking debate on hiring ethics, online behavior, and whether personal social media activity should impact professional opportunities in today’s digital age.
Meet your new human resource executive: AI
GenAI is transforming recruitment by streamlining tasks like CV screening, pre-interview chats, and candidate coaching. While it shortens time-to-hire by evaluating skills and cultural fit, challenges around ethical use and bias still remain for HR systems.
Zoho's Sridhar Vembu warns there is still a chance to protect your income before AI takes away your job
Zoho CEO Sridhar Vembu advises caution regarding claims of massive job displacement due to AI, citing research indicating limited current impact on the labor market. A study from Denmark reveals that despite AI adoption, productivity and job markets haven't significantly shifted. While AI tools create new tasks, users suggest focusing on upskilling and leveraging existing technologies for optimal effectiveness.
‘With the rise of AI, we’re seeing an increased need for human skills’: Kelly Jones
Cisco prioritizes talent and workspace, transforming hiring with AI. The India site is vital, marking 30 years. Skill development in cybersecurity and AI is amplified. Human skills like critical thinking are increasingly important. Hiring processes are being revamped for better data and employee experience. Diversity hiring in the US does not affect India, as Cisco focuses on inclusive hiring.
Elon Musk predicts robots will surpass best surgeons in 5 years, sparks fierce debate
Elon Musk predicted that robots will surpass skilled human surgeons within a few years, sparking skepticism online. Users question the feasibility and potential job displacement, while others emphasised robots' current role as tools, not autonomous replacements. Neuralink, valued at $5 billion, is testing brain implants to assist individuals with spinal cord injuries, despite initial FDA safety concerns.
Artificial intelligence is about skill transformation, not job loss: TCS Global AI head
Ashok Krish told PTI in an interview true high-value implementations are happening in companies that see AI not as an IT project but as a board-level transformation priority.
Elon Musk's DOGE a flop? It caused chaos rather than saving billions for Trump
Tech billionaire Elon Musk has announced he would turn his attention back to the electric vehicle maker but said he would likely still work in government as long as President Trump would have him. An advisory body created by Trump, DOGE was spearheaded by Musk to make the federal bureaucracy more efficient. It has completed 100 days.
PM Narendra Modi urges tech-first governance, boost for startups, MSMEs
Addressing bureaucrats in New Delhi at the 17th Civil Services Day programme, PM Modi urged officials to view themselves as enablers of growth, especially for startups and MSMEs, in light of India’s evolving economic landscape, where smaller enterprises are becoming key drivers of innovation, supply chain management, and global competitiveness.
Tech takes the crown: Lucy Guo beats Taylor Swift in billionaire race
Lucy Guo, the 30-year-old co-founder of Scale AI, has surpassed Taylor Swift to become the youngest self-made woman billionaire. Guo's fortune stems from her early involvement with the AI powerhouse, despite her departure years ago. She later co-founded Backend Capital and launched Passes, a platform connecting creators with fans. Forbes estimates her net worth at $1.25 billion.
Cautious narrative, sobering outlook: Top IT cos' results trail expectations amid tariff woes
The overhang of macro concerns reflected on several fronts, from muted outlook to hesitation to commit upfront on wage hikes, as management commentary from India's billion-dollar IT powerhouses remained largely sobering in the just-ended quarter. Hiring trends fared a tad better. TCS, Infosys and Wipro cumulatively added 1,438 employees between Q3 and Q4 FY25, marking a shift, and indeed a reversal, from declines of over 900 seen in the previous quarter.
Building resilience, sustaining health: Abu Dhabi’s blueprint for future-ready care
At the 2025 edition of Abu Dhabi Global Health Week (ADGHW), resilience isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a blueprint. Here’s how ADGHW is catalysing global action and regional implementation to build systems that can endure, adapt, and thrive. Don’t miss the agenda of this forum, held from 15-17 April 2025.
Precision, policy, and progress: Inside Abu Dhabi Global Health Week 2025
Held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre from 15–17 April 2025, Abu Dhabi Global Health Week brings together stakeholders across healthcare, technology, finance, policy, and philanthropy. In 2025, ADGHW is placing longevity and precision health at the heart of its agenda.
TCS 'discrimination' case: US agency probes workers' bias claims
The US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is investigating Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) over allegations of discrimination against American workers based on race, age, and national origin. Former employees claim TCS targeted older, non-South Asian professionals for layoffs while favoring Indian colleagues on H-1B visas.
Bengaluru says 'no' to maids, 'yes' to robots as India's IT capital take AI help for hassle-free daily chores
Bengaluru residents are embracing robots for household chores, reducing reliance on traditional help. Manisha Roy replaced her cook with a kitchen robot, saving time and money, while Meera Vasudev uses robotic cleaners. This shift is also changing gender roles, with men like Naveen actively participating in cooking.
The paradox of AI
AI's rapid integration into the IT sector has raised concerns about job displacement, particularly in India's outsourcing hub. While AI tools enhance coding speed, over-reliance could erode essential problem-solving skills, limiting innovation.
From Dholera to Pune: The cities vying to become India’s Shenzhen after Mahindra’s viral post
Anand Mahindra has sparked a spirited national debate with his call for a “Shenzhen equivalent” in India. Pointing to China’s tech and manufacturing powerhouse, the Mahindra Group chairman urged India to carve out its own urban engine of innovation. Netizens responded with a wave of ideas—from Noida and Pune to Andhra’s Machilipatnam. While some backed the vision, others mocked it online. Amid global trade tensions and the quest for economic resilience, India’s Shenzhen moment might just be overdue.
Freud at your fingertips: Many people are using ChatGPT as their therapist. Is there a business opportunity in AI-powered therapy?
As AI chatbots become increasingly sophisticated, individuals are exploring their potential as therapeutic tools, with some even preferring them over human interaction due to accessibility and perceived lack of judgment. While experts acknowledge the benefits of AI in mental health, particularly for managing documentation and providing initial support, concerns remain about emotional detachment and the potential erosion of interpersonal skills.
Some good news for techies. CEO boldly claims more software jobs coming in AI era: 'Just watch the data'
Despite growing fears that AI will replace software engineers, Okta CEO Todd McKinnon strongly rejects the idea, calling it “laughable.” He believes the demand for engineers will increase as AI handles routine tasks, allowing humans to focus on complex system design. Industry voices like Sam Altman and Sridhar Vembu agree that AI will change the nature of coding but not eliminate the need for engineers.
TCS defers wage hikes; Google layoffs
TCS is deferring annual salary hikes amid global business headwinds. This and more in today’s ETtech Top 5.
AI job boom: India leads global hiring as demand for tech skills soars
Globally, India led the way in AI hiring growth in 2024, recording a year-over-year increase of 33.39%. Data from LinkedIn’s Economic Graph reveals that emerging markets are now driving the AI job boom, with Brazil (30.83%) and Saudi Arabia (28.71%) also recording substantial increases.
What is your MBA worth? IIM and ISB alumni reveal the harsh reality of the management degree
An IIM Ahmedabad graduate’s honest reflection on her first day at McKinsey has reignited debate on the real-world value of MBA degrees. In an era where even top-tier business schools face falling placement rates, and firms are trimming MBA hires, her story lays bare what B-Schools fail to teach: clarity, courage, and the elusive “executive filter.” With job markets shrinking and AI on the rise, the glossy MBA pitch is giving way to a harsher, more competitive reality.
Hiring in Indian building materials sector surged by 30% in last two years: CIEL HR report
India's building materials sector experienced a significant 30% hiring surge between January 2023 and January 2025, driven by increased domestic consumption and global exports, particularly in the pipes and steel segments. Companies are actively seeking talent in areas like sustainability, advanced manufacturing, and sales to meet market needs and comply with ESG standards.
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