017 — When AI Came Home

What this episode covers

Two weeks ago, the IMF warned that AI would eat the bottom rungs of the career ladder. This week, that warning landed in India. TCS announced 12,261 layoffs. Cognizant is cutting up to 15,000 under Project Leap, with India expected to absorb the largest share. And last week, TCS chairman N. Chandrasekaran said the day is not far when TCS will have half a million AI agents in its workforce.For thirty years, Indian IT operated on a pyramid. Wide at thebottom — fresh engineering graduates billed by the hour. Narrow at the top — a few senior architects. That pyramid built the Indian middle class. The pyramid is flattening.Meanwhile, in Gandhinagar yesterday, Gujarat CM Bhupendrabhai Patel unveiled the state's Industrial Policy 2026 — with major AI provisions including workforce reskilling subsidies, infrastructure grants, and a fund fordisplaced workers. So India is in a strange position. Companies firing people while announcing AI rollouts. State governments writing playbooks for the people being fired. Central government keeping a watch. Three different speeds.Same problem.Plus — a 15-minute quinoa salad (it's pronounced keen-wah), and a poem about things drifting away from us.— TODAY'S RECIPE —15-minute quinoa salad. Rinse 1 cup quinoa thoroughly in coldwater (removes bitter coating). Cook in 2 cups water + pinch of salt for 12-15 min until little spirals pop out. Drain, cool. In a big bowl: quinoa + cucumber chopped small + 2 ripe tomatoes diced + ½ red onion finely sliced + handfulfresh parsley or coriander. Optional: 1 can chickpeas. Dressing: the Bandrum Vinaigrette (olive oil + salt + pepper) with lemon juice. Whisk, pour, toss. Crumble feta on top if you have it.— TODAY'S POEM —"Drifting Away" — from Fifty Rooms of Silence by Linu Conil, published by Romanson, with an endorsement from Dr. Shashi Tharoor.📖Get the book on Amazon:https://www.amazon.in/Fifty-Rooms-Silence-Linu-Conil/dp/9348314556—Six Minutes of Silence is hosted by Linu Conil and produced byThe Bandrum Circuit in Trivandrum, Kerala. New episodes every weekday at 7 AM IST.Got a thought? Write to [email protected]

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