Global Fintech Fest 2026: Nandan Nilekani says risk of losing jobs due to AI lower in small companies

Nandan Nilekani, co‑founder of Infosys and a leading figure in India’s technology ecosystem, addressed attendees at the Global Fintech Fest 2026 to stress that the risk of AI‑driven job displacement is disproportionately higher for large, highly structured corporations. He underscored that the nation’s millions of small businesses are the engine for creating the next wave of employment opportunities, and that these dynamic workplaces are less vulnerable to automation.

While no precise figures were disclosed, Nilekani pointed to the rapid expansion of India’s formal startup sector as evidence of a burgeoning entrepreneurial landscape. He noted that the sheer volume of small enterprises—numbering in the millions—provides a diversified labor market that can absorb technological shifts more flexibly than monolithic organizations.

The remarks come amid growing concerns about AI’s impact on the labour force across the globe. By championing small‑business empowerment, Nilekani suggested a policy pathway that could safeguard jobs for a broad swath of Indian workers, from artisans to service providers, and foster an economy less susceptible to wholesale automation.