A recent survey of 1,552 professionals in India has revealed growing concerns about job security in the age of artificial intelligence. The study, conducted by Blind, found that 66% of employees in AI and machine learning roles expect layoffs or major team reductions within the next three to six months. This level of worry is almost equal to that of workers in sales (68%) and product and design (65%), showing that even AI-focused jobs are not seen as safe from cuts.
Interestingly, engineers appear far less worried. Only 24% of engineers believe layoffs are “very likely,” making them the least concerned group. Their overall risk sentiment stands at 58%, below the survey average. Similarly, professionals in data and analytics reported lower anxiety, with 51% expecting cuts, and many saying layoffs are unlikely.
The survey also highlighted differences across companies. Workers at Salesforce (81%), Oracle (80%), and Uber (77%) reported the highest fear of layoffs, while employees at Indian SaaS firms like Zoho (9%) and Freshworks (44%) felt more secure.
Employees said their concerns stem not only from official announcements but also from signals like hiring freezes (27%) and budget cuts (24%). Despite AI’s promise, the findings suggest that professionals building AI systems may feel just as vulnerable as those in roles most disrupted by it.
