Concerns over the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the workforce are not of job loss, but skill mismatch, and while students today are better exposed than ever before to changes in tech, preparedness is uneven, according to Professor T G Sitharam, who demitted office as the chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) after his tenure ended this month.

Prof Sitharam is the chair of the Human Capital Working Group, India-AI Impact Summit 2026, which is scheduled to be held in February, and is being organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. He is a former Director of IIT Guwahati and has been a professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru.

Professor T G Sitharam: Engineering education in India is undergoing a conscious and structured transformation. AICTE has moved from a rigid curriculum framework to a more flexible, outcome-based, and industry-aligned model curriculum. We have introduced AI, data science, machine learning, cybersecurity, robotics, and interdisciplinary minors across engineering streams. In addition, initiatives such as internships, project-based learning, industry certifications, exposure to global platforms like the India-AI Impact Summit, and collaboration with leading technology companies ensure that students are exposed to emerging technologies early in their academic journey.

Q: Do you think engineering students graduating today, irrespective of stream, are equipped with the skills to deal with these changes in tech and use them to their advantage?

Professor Sitharam: Students today are better exposed than ever before, but preparedness is uneven. While many students demonstrate strong adaptability, problem-solving ability, and digital literacy, there is still a gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in some institutions. This is why AICTE emphasises hands-on learning, internships, skilling courses, and continuous faculty upskilling, so that graduates are not only job-ready but also future-ready.

Q: How do you see AI affecting or changing jobs for engineers? Do you have any concerns about its impact on the workforce?

Professor Sitharam: AI will certainly transform jobs rather than eliminate them outright. Routine and repetitive tasks will increasingly be automated, but this will create demand for engineers skilled in AI development, system integration, ethics, governance, and human–AI collaboration. Our concern is not job loss, but skill mismatch. Hence, the focus of the AI Human Capital Working Group at the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 is on reskilling, upskilling, and lifelong learning, ensuring that engineers remain relevant as technologies evolve.

Q: What do you think the impact of AI has been in the classroom so far for young engineering students?

Professor Sitharam: AI has begun to change classrooms in meaningful ways. Students are using AI tools for coding assistance, simulations, design optimization, and personalized learning. At the same time, AICTE is mindful of concerns around academic integrity and over-dependence. Therefore, we emphasize responsible and ethical use of AI, ensuring it complements learning rather than replacing critical thinking.