BLOGPOST CONTENT FOR AU WEBSITE

Sangeeta Trehan
May, 2018

So everyone is excited as well as concerned about the host of challenges which

have begun to come due to introduction and use of machine learning and artificial
learning (AI) on a mass scale
(https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/apr/25/artificial-intelligence-
survey-finds-uk-public-broadly-optimistic-mass-unemployment). People are most
apprehensive about mass unemployment, especially the cut-down in programmable
and repetitive jobs in the near and foreseeable future!

Survey research by OpenText conducted among British consumers revealed that

about a quarter of the UK consumers asked in 2017 and around one-in-five (21%)
asked in the 2018 survey believed their job could be replaced by AI software in the
next 10 years. I was found that job-loss fears are more widespread among IT and
business professionals (https://www.computerweekly.com/news/252438934/AI-
fears-abating-among-UK-consumers-suggests-OpenText-survey).

In India too, we know 2017 was not the best year for jobs in IT and tech
companies. One of the top employment generators until a few years ago, India’s
$160 billion IT industry laid off more than 56,000 employees in 2017.
(https://qz.com/1152683/indian-it-layoffs-in-2017-top-56000-led-by-tcs-infosys-
cognizant/) Companies like Cognizant, Wipro, HCL, Tech Mahindra and even
TCS too had to hand over pink slips to scores of their employees at various levels.
Many startups and tech companies like LeEco, Aircel, Snapdeal, YepMe and
Craftsvilla had to cut jobs last year 2017, especially in the first half
(https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/slideshows/work-career/5-tech-companies-
in-india-that-cut-jobs-in-2017/bad-news/slideshow/57575336.cms).

On the other hand, digital leaders are investing heavily in AI and machine learning.
According to a survey of UK digital leaders by Deloitte late last year, 85 per cent
of UK businesses plan to invest in artificial intelligence and the internet of things
by 2020 (https://www2.deloitte.com/uk/en/pages/press-releases/articles/deloitte-
survey-almost-nine-in-ten-uk-businesses-to-invest-in-artificial-intelligence-by-
2020.html). So welcome to the Fourth Industrial Revolution as we increase the

Sangeeta Trehan May 2018

automation and reduce the human requirement for performing programmable tasks.
What are the reasons for this? How does this impact the current as well as future
Indian workers? Being an educationist, I’m naturally inclined to assess the impact
of the situation for our graduates too in the near future.

By 2025, over 250 million young people will enter the Indian workforce. AI and
ML have huge opportunities in India
http://www.rediff.com/business/interview/the-huge-opportunity-for-india-in-
machine-learning-and-ai/20170517.htm. At the same time, these changing
technology contours have changed the nature of jobs. For instance, noting this
major shift in Genpact, Tiger Tyagarajan, CEO and president of Genpact told ET
earlier this year that 90% of the jobs that had existed in the company five years ago
didnot exist in 2018. “So the work we do with GE (its erstwhile parent) today, 90%
is not the work we used to do earlier. The size of the relationship has not changed
much but the work has completely changed.”
(https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/software/india-wont-lose-edge-with-
rise-of-ai-machine-learning-genpact ceo/articleshow/62374074.cms). As India
prepares itself to enter the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we need to ask a few
questions: how does this bear upon higher education in the country, what are the
skills needed in the digital age and are we designing and offering the “right”
programmes for the current and future generation of learners, workers and
entrepreneurs? These questions require much soul-searching among the college
leaders, University administrators and faculty alike with no simple yes/no answers.
But it is pertinent, and relatively easier, to make a few remarks from the students’
perspective here. As T V Mohandas Pai, former HR head and ex-Chief Financial
Officer of IT major Infosys, already advised the engineering undergraduate
students, the students must acquire skill and expertise by pursuing a master’s
degree with specialization (https://telecom.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/it-
companies-may-cold-shoulder-btech-only-techies-in-future-says-mohandas-
pai/59035739). And this applies even more in the context of management
education. Being a BBA and BCom without any specialist skills would not be
much useful, if you are planning to join the workforce or even so, start your own
venture soon. A master’s programme MBA could certainly be a distinguisher. As
for Delhi, Gurgaon or Delhi NCR, for that matter, there is much choice but the
quality is not consistent across institutions and their various programmes. Thus,

Sangeeta Trehan May 2018

whether you look for MBA admissions 2018, BCom admissions 2018 or
Universities offering BBA programme in 2018 in Delhi, Gurgaon or Delhi NCR,
there are several BBA, BCom and MBA colleges that claim to be among the top
colleges. But it is for the families, parents and their wards (students) to be
discerning enough regarding choice of the appropriate programme at the
appropriate place. Give a hard look at the programme details, including all the
value-adding specialization, skills and exposure that it offers.

As for MBA institutes in Gurgaon, indeed among top 10 MBA colleges in

Gurgaon and perhaps among top 10 management colleges in Delhi NCR, I would
like to mention specifically an institution with which I have had personal
experience as an instructor and academic developer, namely, Ansal University
(AU). Those looking for MBA, BBA and BCom admission 2018 in Gurgaon or
Delhi NCR may consider Ansal University which is offering affordable MBA,
BBA and B.Com programs in association with Warwick University, UK. Talking
of the MBA programme specifically, how the MBA programme at Ansal
University may add value to your post-graduate education is through Warwick tie-
up as an academic collaboration and an in- built component throughout two years
of the programme, a mandatory two-week trip to Warwick University, add-on
certifications and an approach based on design thinking and inter-disciplinary
approach to teaching and learning. In view of the larger developments in the tech
and IT field discussed in this article which have larger ramifications for higher
education and job-seekers globally, one needs to add-on “specialized elements”
into and along with their MBA program. In this context, pursuing an MBA from a
top MBA college like Ansal University offering international exposure and other
enriching elements built into the programme is certainly worth a serious look!

Sangeeta Trehan May 2018