India AI Layoff Fears Rise, Engineers Confident
By Business Desk
Over 50% of India’s AI/ML professionals fear layoffs within 6 months, a new survey reveals. Engineers, however, remain largely unconcerned about job security.
A significant shift is underway in India’s job market, with a new survey indicating that over half of professionals in Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning roles anticipate layoffs in the coming months. This finding challenges the common belief that AI-related careers offer ultimate job security.
The survey, conducted by Blind in July 2026 among 1,552 India-based workers, revealed that 66% of AI and Machine Learning employees expect headcount reductions within three to six months. This concern mirrors that of sales and marketing professionals, at 68%, and product and design roles, at 65%, suggesting job insecurity extends even to emerging tech sectors.
In contrast, engineers appear considerably less concerned about potential job cuts, with only 24% anticipating layoffs. Data and analytics professionals also show lower apprehension, as 51% feel at risk, and four out of ten consider a cut unlikely for their roles.
Shifting Perceptions of Risk
Interestingly, the survey suggests a reversal in perceived job security. Roles traditionally thought to be at high risk from AI, such as engineering, now appear safer than the teams actively developing AI technologies. Engineers maintain an overall at-risk sentiment of 58%, which falls below the survey’s average.
The apprehension among workers isn’t primarily fueled by direct layoff announcements, which account for only 9% of reported concerns. Instead, stronger indicators driving this fear include widespread hiring freezes and significant budget or headcount-target reductions. These factors represent 27% and 24% of concerns, respectively, pointing to broader economic pressures.
Company-Specific Expectations
Looking at specific companies, employees at Salesforce reported the highest layoff expectations at 81%, followed closely by Oracle at 80%, Uber at 77%, and PayPal at 75%. This indicates significant apprehension within some major tech employers.
Conversely, Indian SaaS firms like Zoho and Freshworks show notably lower levels of concern among their employees. Only 9% of Zoho staff and 44% of Freshworks staff anticipate layoffs, suggesting a more stable outlook within these homegrown companies.
This data from the July 2026 survey offers a grounded perspective on the evolving job landscape in India. While the promise of AI development remains strong, professionals in these fields must navigate a nuanced market where perceived security is shifting. Understanding these trends can help early-career individuals make informed decisions about their professional paths.