{
  "id": 6583977,
  "title": "Nandan Nilekani Says Millions of Small Businesses Could Help India Protect Jobs From AI Disruption",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/nandan-nilekani-says-millions-of-small-businesses-could-help-india",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-09-10T11:57:49.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/business/nandan-nilekani-says-millions-of-small-businesses-could-help-india-protect-jobs-from-ai-disruption"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Infosys Chairman Nandan Nilekani argued that India could better address the employment challenges posed by artificial intelligence by fostering the expansion of numerous small businesses instead of relying heavily on large corporations. Discussing this at the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, Nilekani pointed out that while large companies could utilize AI to boost efficiency and curtail their workforce, it was crucial to expand the pool of businesses that could generate employment. He expressed concern that AI might lead to job losses, especially in large organizations that are adept at implementing AI effectively. Nilekani emphasized that creating a job-rich economy would not solely depend on a handful of major companies but rather on the creation of millions of small businesses. He believed that spreading employment across these smaller enterprises could enhance the economy's resilience in the face of AI-driven workforce shifts. Nilekani suggested that jobs created by these smaller businesses might be more secure and assist in \"AI-proofing\" the economy. He also noted how digital infrastructure could enable small businesses to access high-level capabilities at relatively low costs, such as having a round-the-clock customer service agent, advanced internet analysis, a self-regulating token, and a marketplace or loan facility. Nilekani stressed that technology should empower smaller enterprises to compete on par with larger companies. He advocated for accessible digital infrastructure that could enable small businesses to function effectively, akin to larger firms. Additionally, he underscored the importance of inclusive digital infrastructure that could reach everyone, ensuring the technology added value to people's lives, not just a select few. Nilekani also supported the development of public-chain infrastructure for creating global markets for tokenized assets, stressing that ecosystem design would be vital for regulated assets and liquidity.",
  "summary": "Infosys Chairman Nandan Nilekani has said India may be better placed to tackle the employment risks posed by artificial intelligence by encouraging the growth of millions of small businesses rather than relying primarily on large corporations. Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest in Mumbai, Nilekani said large companies could use AI to significantly improve efficiency while reducing their…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Inc42",
        "title": "Startups, Small Businesses Will Drive Job Creation In AI Era: Nandan Nilekani",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/startups-small-businesses-will-drive-job-creation-in-ai-era-nandan",
        "published": "2026-09-10T10:41:33.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}