Navigating the AI Tsunami: A Call to Action for India's Young Professionals

Picture this: a bustling summit, the air thick with anticipation, and a seasoned entrepreneur takes the stage. Sanjeev Bikhchandani, the brilliant mind behind giants like Naukri.com and an Executive Vice Chairman at Info Edge India Ltd., wasn't there to offer sugar-coated predictions. Oh no. At the India AI Impact Summit 2026, he delivered a message that was as sharp as it was profoundly necessary for India's young professionals. It was a wake-up call, really, one that resonated deeply with anyone thinking about their career trajectory in the coming years.

His core declaration? A simple, yet incredibly potent truth: "If you don't do AI, AI will be done to you." Let that sink in for a moment. It's not just a catchy phrase, is it? It's a stark warning, a clear delineation between those who will proactively shape their future and those who might find their professional landscape dramatically altered, perhaps even undermined, by the relentless march of artificial intelligence. What he means, quite frankly, is that ignoring AI isn't an option anymore; it's a direct path to obsolescence.

Now, we've all heard the buzz about AI. It's everywhere, right? From recommending our next Netflix binge to optimizing supply chains. But Bikhchandani’s insight went beyond the superficial. He emphasized that AI isn't merely another technological tool; it's a foundational shift. Think of it like the internet's arrival, or perhaps even electricity – something that fundamentally reshapes how we live, work, and interact. For young professionals, especially those just starting out or navigating early career stages, this isn't just a trend to observe; it’s a personal imperative.

The conversation at the summit, where this profound statement was made, wasn't just about fear-mongering. Far from it. It was about empowerment through foresight. It underscored the critical need for upskilling and reskilling, for cultivating a mindset of continuous learning. If certain tasks can be automated, and let's be honest, many can and will be, then our value proposition as humans must shift. We need to focus on those uniquely human skills – creativity, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, complex problem-solving – and, crucially, learn how to collaborate with AI, not just compete against it.

So, what does this mean for you, dear reader, if you're a young professional in India, or indeed anywhere in the world? It means you have a choice. You can either be a passive recipient of AI's impact, watching as industries transform and job roles evolve, or you can become an active participant. You can learn about AI, understand its capabilities, explore how it can augment your existing skills, and even identify new opportunities it creates. It’s about being proactive, about seeing AI not as a threat lurking in the shadows, but as a powerful co-pilot ready to help you navigate tomorrow's complex world.

Bikhchandani’s message, delivered with the weight of experience and foresight, is essentially an invitation. An invitation to lean into the future, to embrace change, and to secure your place in an AI-powered world. Because, as he so eloquently put it, the alternative is simply not an option. It's time to 'do' AI, before AI 'does' you.