TCS feels generative AI like ChatGPT will be a co-worker, not replace jobs

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), the country's largest information technology services, feels generative artificial intelligence platforms like Microsoft-backed OpenAI's ChatGPT will create an "AI co-worker" and not replace jobs.

Emergence of such tools like ChatGPT will help to improve productivity, consistency of the work which gets delivered and reduce the need for governance, up the pace of delivery and reduce the need for peripheral functions, but not change the business models for firms, said Milind Lakkad, the chief human resources officer (CHRO) of TCS.

"It's (generative AI) a good thing to happen for the future, but I think it will be collaboration rather than replacement," Lakkad said.

"..it (generative AI) will be a co-worker. It will be a co-worker and that co-worker will take time for them to understand the context of the customer," Lakkad was quoted as saying by PTI.

Explaining further, the TCS CHRO said the context for a piece of work to be implemented will be industry and customer-centric, which will continue to come from the human who is being assisted in tasks by such a co-worker.

The emergency of platforms like ChatGPT has led to concerns on whether a trained human is needed at all to deliver the work which a technology firm offers to clients.

Also, there are scenarios where an entire code is being generated through ChatGPT. One of the reasons for massive layoffs by big tech firms globally is being attributed to the emergence of such intuitive platforms.

‘Job definitions will change’

Lakkad said, "It is not that jobs will get replaced, but the job definitions will change." He said the context in which a particular customer works is extremely important, and the need to differentiate its offerings from competition makes it essential for a customer to keep on evolving continuously.

The amount of work to be done by a human being versus the generative AI platforms will vary as per industry as well, Lakkad told PTI.

If anything, it will reduce the need for managerial talent but the demand for workers lower down the hierarchy will continue as they will get crucial skills on the context front, the TCS CHRO said.

TCS is using such inputs in "some pockets" already, he said, adding that a lot of the work will happen in these areas going forward and the entire picture will get clear only in two years' time.

There will be changes in training which will take place as a result, Lakkad said, adding that the company pays a lot of attention to this aspect and typically plans in advance for requirements of the future.

TCS not considering layoffs

TCS, which employs more than 6 lakh people, is not considering any layoffs as it believes in grooming talent for longer careers once it hires an employee.

The company is also planning to hire startup employees who have lost their jobs.

The comments have come amid IT firms laying off people due to a slew of reasons.

In reply to a specific question on whether there will be layoffs or involuntary attrition, Lakkad said, “We don't do that (layoffs), we believe in grooming talent in the company…(there will be) no layoffs.”

TCS will also be announcing hikes which will be similar to earlier years.

With agency inputs