In July 2025, Microsoft Research unveiled a pivotal study, “Working with AI,” published on arXiv, analyzing 200,000 anonymized Bing Copilot conversations to identify the 40 jobs most vulnerable to AI automation and the 40 least affected. For Bharat Tone readers, this study is a critical guide for Indian workers, especially in tech hubs like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune, as well as across diverse sectors nationwide. With India’s workforce at the forefront of global tech and services, understanding AI’s impact is essential. Here’s a deep dive into the findings, tailored for Indian professionals, with insights on how to navigate the AI-driven future.

How Microsoft Assessed AI’s Impact

The study introduces an “AI applicability score” to measure how well a job’s tasks align with generative AI capabilities, such as those in Copilot or ChatGPT. It evaluates three factors:

• Coverage: How frequently AI is used for job tasks.
• Completion: How effectively AI performs those tasks.
• Scope: How much of a job’s responsibilities AI can handle.

Using data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the O*NET database, adapted to reflect global job trends, the study offers insights relevant to India’s dynamic workforce. For Indian workers, this is a window into how AI is reshaping roles in IT, BPO, and beyond.

The 40 Jobs Most at Risk: AI’s Threat to Indian Workforces

The study flags jobs with repetitive, structured tasks—common in India’s IT and service sectors—as most vulnerable to AI. Here are the top 10 roles at risk, with implications for India’s workforce:

1. Customer Service Representatives (key in India’s BPO sector, employing millions)
2. Writers and Authors
3. Journalists
4. Editors
5. Translators and Interpreters
6. Proofreaders
7. Public Relations Specialists
8. Web Developers (a staple in India’s tech industry)
9. Data Scientists
10. Business Analysts

The list also includes software developers, sales executives, and market research analysts—roles central to India’s IT and startup ecosystems. With India hosting over 5 million tech workers, many in entry-level coding or BPO roles, the stakes are high. The study notes that higher-paid, structured jobs face significant exposure, as AI can streamline tasks like coding or data analysis. Microsoft’s own 2025 layoffs, exceeding 15,000 globally, signal that companies are already using AI to cut costs. Researcher Kiran Tomlinson clarifies, “AI supports tasks like writing and research but doesn’t fully replace jobs—yet.” Still, reduced team sizes are a growing reality.

The 40 Safest Jobs: Where Indian Workers Shine

Jobs requiring physical presence, human interaction, or specialized skills remain less exposed to AI. Here’s the top 10 list of “AI-light” roles, many of which resonate with India’s workforce:

1. Phlebotomists (vital in India’s growing healthcare sector)
2. Massage Therapists
3. Construction Workers (key to India’s infrastructure boom)
4. Roofers
5. Surgeons
6. Nursing Assistants (critical in rural and urban healthcare)
7. Dredge Operators
8. Dishwashers
9. Carpenters
10. Electricians

Teachers, social workers, and engineers also rank as secure, relying on empathy, creativity, or hands-on expertise. For India, where healthcare and construction are expanding, these roles offer stability. However, the study warns that robotics advancements could eventually challenge even these fields, as AI-powered machines evolve.

Why This Matters for Indian Workers

India’s workforce, with its massive presence in IT, BPO, and services, faces both challenges and opportunities. Cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad, home to millions of web developers and data analysts, are on the front lines of AI disruption. Entry-level roles, such as routine coding or call center work, are increasingly automatable, threatening jobs that have long been entry points for young professionals. Meanwhile, roles in healthcare, teaching, and infrastructure—prevalent across urban and rural India—offer a buffer.

The study also highlights a silver lining: AI is creating demand for new skills. As a Hyderabad-based IT professional shared on LinkedIn, “AI is a double-edged sword. It’s taking away basic coding jobs but creating roles for those who can design and manage AI systems.” With India’s tech sector projected to grow to $350 billion by 2026 (NASSCOM), workers who adapt will find opportunities in AI development, oversight, and hybrid roles.

Turning Disruption into Opportunity

Microsoft likens AI’s impact to ATMs, which reduced bank teller tasks but spurred new roles in customer relations. The World Economic Forum’s 2025 report predicts 92 million jobs could be displaced globally by 2030, but 78 million new ones may emerge, many in AI-related fields. For Indian workers, this means a chance to lead in AI innovation, especially in tech hubs and startups.

How Indian Workers Can Stay Ahead

Here’s how Bharat Tone readers can prepare for the AI era:

• Upskill Urgently: Enroll in platforms like Coursera, UpGrad, or Simplilearn for courses in AI, system design, or leadership.
• Leverage AI Tools: Use tools like Copilot to boost productivity, making you indispensable.
• Focus on Human Skills: Strengthen abilities like creativity, empathy, and strategic thinking, which AI can’t replicate.
• Stay Updated: Follow NASSCOM reports, Microsoft’s “AI at Work” updates, or global tech trends to stay informed.

The Road Ahead

Microsoft’s 2025 study is a wake-up call for Indian workers. While AI threatens roles in customer service, coding, and data analysis, it spares jobs in healthcare, construction, and teaching—for now. For India’s 500 million-strong workforce, the key is adaptability. By embracing AI as a partner and upskilling strategically, Indian professionals can turn this disruption into a launchpad for growth. As the study concludes, “This is a snapshot of an evolving landscape.” The future belongs to those who prepare today.