A social media post by Ishika Mukerji, an Indian-origin tech entrepreneur based in the United States, has started a serious online discussion about artificial intelligence and job security. Mukerji, who leads the AI company Morphic, shared her recent experience with a cab driver in Delhi who expressed deep worry about the future of his career in the age of automation.
The conversation happened after Mukerji attended a major AI Summit in Delhi. The event focused on innovation, investment, regulation, and the future of artificial intelligence in India. While the summit left her feeling inspired about technological progress, her ride back home left her thinking about the human cost of rapid change.
She wrote on social media that as she sat in the cab, the driver asked her a simple but powerful question: “AI will take away our jobs, Madam?”
According to Mukerji, the driver then showed her his college degree. He described himself as a college topper and the first person in his family to receive higher education. He had worked hard for four years to earn his qualification, hoping for a stable and respectable job. However, despite his academic success, he now drives for Uber to support his family.
The driver told her that many companies he had applied to were automating roles. He said tasks that once required 100 employees now need only 10 because of technology. In simple Hindi, he asked her, “Main kya karoon, Madam?” meaning, “What should I do, Madam?” He added that he keeps trying to find better work but feels he has no other option at the moment.
Mukerji wrote that his words struck her deeply. She said he did everything society tells young people to do — study hard, earn a degree, and try for stable employment. Yet, he feels left behind in a system that is changing faster than he can adapt.
She explained that at the AI Summit, there were panels about scaling businesses, attracting investment, and shaping regulation. However, she felt that there was not enough discussion about education and inclusion. She questioned what would happen to first-generation graduates like the driver, who have no financial safety net and limited exposure to new technologies.
Mukerji argued that AI literacy is no longer a luxury but a necessity. She called for more affordable courses, workshops, and grassroots programs in different Indian languages. According to her, people need to understand AI, not fear it. She believes that the conversation around artificial intelligence must include not only builders and investors but also ordinary workers whose livelihoods are being affected.
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Her post quickly went viral and drew strong reactions from users across social media platforms. Many people agreed that the story highlighted a growing gap between technological advancement and workforce preparedness.
One user wrote that in boardrooms, AI disruption is discussed as strategy and opportunity. But for workers like the cab driver, it is about survival. The commenter said the driver was not asking for sympathy but for clarity about his future.
Another person said the story reflects a larger problem in India and other countries — educated but unemployed youth who now also face the fear of automation. They added that many professionals working in technology may not fully understand how deeply these changes affect others.
However, some users offered a different view. A few people working in AI said that artificial intelligence mainly replaces repetitive tasks, not hardworking individuals. They explained that in many businesses, AI helps speed up processes and reduce human error. For example, instead of manually preparing reports, employees can use AI tools to handle data more efficiently and focus on decision-making.
These users argued that workers who learn to use AI tools may improve their job prospects rather than lose them. They said that fear is natural at first, but understanding and training can reduce anxiety. According to them, the real issue is lack of exposure and training, not the technology itself.
The discussion also touched on India’s education system. Some people pointed out that college degrees do not always guarantee employability. There is often a gap between what students learn in classrooms and the skills demanded by industries. With automation increasing, this gap may widen unless reforms are introduced.
Experts have long debated the impact of automation on employment. While technology has historically created new types of jobs, it has also made certain roles outdated. The challenge is managing the transition. Without proper planning, workers may struggle to shift into new sectors.
Mukerji’s post did not attack AI development. Instead, it called for a more balanced approach. She acknowledged the benefits of innovation but stressed the need for empathy and inclusive growth. She believes policymakers, educators, and tech companies must work together to ensure that progress does not leave people behind.
The driver’s simple question — “What should I do?” — has now become a symbol of a larger concern shared by many workers across industries. As artificial intelligence continues to grow rapidly, governments and companies may need to focus more on reskilling and lifelong learning programs.
The viral story serves as a reminder that behind every technological breakthrough, there are human lives affected. While AI promises efficiency and growth, it also raises serious questions about equality and opportunity.
For now, the Delhi Uber driver’s words continue to echo online. They reflect not only personal worry but also a wider fear about the future of work in an increasingly automated world.
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