Nandan Nilekani: AI may be advancing rapidly, but it will never replace human qualities

Artificial intelligence may be advancing rapidly, but it will never replace human qualities like empathy, leadership, collaboration, and creativity, says Infosys chairman and co-founder Nandan Nilekani.

Speaking at an AIMA event with Moneycontrol’s Managing Editor Nalin Mehta, Nilekani emphasized the importance of adaptability over technical AI-related skills that may become obsolete. “You can have all the AIs in the world, but if you can’t get five people to work together, you cannot go anywhere,” he reportedly said.

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He stressed the need for education systems to prioritize first-principles thinking—the ability to question assumptions and analyze problems from scratch. Unlike AI, which follows mechanistic processes, humans possess the ability to conceive truly original ideas, he noted.

Nilekani also highlighted India’s growing AI landscape, noting that the cost of building AI models has significantly reduced. “The government is focused on the India AI Mission, and in the next year, we will see significant AI models coming from India,” he said.

On AI’s impact on jobs, Nilekani remained optimistic. While some tasks will be automated, he believes AI will enhance productivity and create new job opportunities. “AI can amplify human capabilities, making education and healthcare more accessible,” he said, adding that its implementation should focus on inclusivity rather than benefiting only a few.