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AI cannot replace human judgment and problem-solving. Individual contributions would increasingly take precedence over job designations, experts said at IIM Kashipur HR Conclave.
Technology is raising expectations from aspiring professionals and encouraging them to build deeper subject knowledge. (AI Image)
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is changing job roles, recruitment practices and workplace expectations, but human judgment, problem-solving and practical skills will remain important, industry leaders said at the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Kashipur’s HR conclave, Samanvaya 2026.
The conclave brought together senior HR professionals, industry leaders and management students to discuss the future of employment, with a focus on how AI and technological advancements could reshape the workplace by 2040.
During a panel discussion titled ‘Beyond the 9-to-5: What Will “Employment” Even Mean by 2040?’, Sankalp Nanda, Senior Manager (HR Rewards) at London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), discussed AI’s growing role in entry-level hiring. He said the technology is raising expectations from aspiring professionals and encouraging them to build deeper subject knowledge.
Despite regulatory caution, organisations are becoming more receptive to adopting AI in workplace processes. Nanda noted that companies are now “far more open to integrating AI into our workforce processes” as they invest in AI infrastructure.
Yogesh Khatale, Deputy General Manager – L&OD at Praj Industries, said AI would change the way employees perform their jobs rather than simply replace them. “AI will not replace your job, but it will change how you work,” he said, adding that AI cannot replace human judgment and problem-solving. He also noted that individual contributions would increasingly take precedence over job designations.
Amey Pachpute, Technology Product Manager at BlackRock and an IIM Kashipur alumnus, highlighted changing entry-level hiring patterns and the importance of workplace flexibility. “Beyond core technical skills, the cultural fit assessment has now emerged as a decisive factor in candidate selection,” he said.
What skills will employers look for by 2040?
The second panel, ‘Beyond the Checkbox: What Will Strengthen the Resume by 2040?’, examined how recruitment is moving beyond traditional resume screening.
Avneet Singh, AVP – HR at Axis Max Life Insurance Limited, observed that as recruiters and job seekers increasingly use AI, employers are looking beyond resume statements to assess the authentic experiences and decision-making behind candidates’ achievements.
Arjun Mohan, AVP – HR at Mphasis, said recruiters now look beyond certifications to assess business understanding, adaptability and problem-solving impact.
Girijesh Srivastava, Human Resources and L&D Leader – HR CoE at Reliance Jio Infocomm Limited, stressed the importance of practical competencies. “You should never include a single skill that you cannot speak about for 5–15 minutes,” he advised candidates.
The conclave concluded with an interactive discussion between industry leaders and management students on emerging workplace trends and changing professional expectations. Through Samanvaya 2026, IIM Kashipur sought to strengthen industry-academia engagement and prepare future managers for an increasingly technology-driven employment landscape.
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Ask News18Industry leaders at IIM Kashipur’s HR conclave stated that AI will not replace human jobs entirely, but it will fundamentally change how employees perform their work by altering processes and raising professional expectations.
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November 02, 2026, 15:49 IST
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