In today’s fast-changing job market, simply having a degree or memorizing theory is no longer enough. Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India, has made a powerful appeal to India’s young generation: “Work out with AI tools, the same way you work out in the gym.”
Chandok explained that much like physical fitness requires real workouts and not just watching exercise videos, the future of careers will demand practical, hands-on experience with artificial intelligence (AI). Observing AI from the sidelines or knowing about it in theory won’t help. To stay competitive, students and professionals must roll up their sleeves and actively experiment, build, and create with these technologies.
🚀 AI as the New Fuel for Careers
According to Chandok, AI is not just an optional skill anymore—it has become the currency of career growth. With AI reshaping industries at lightning speed, roles that didn’t exist a few years ago are now in demand. He pointed to new positions emerging globally, such as:
- AI Prompt Engineers – crafting the right inputs to guide AI models.
- AI Orchestrators – managing workflows between humans and AI systems.
- Digital Agent Managers – supervising virtual agents that perform customer service, sales, and operations tasks.
- AI Ethics Supervisors – ensuring responsible use of AI.
This shift shows that fluency in AI tools will soon be as important as computer literacy was in the early 2000s.
🧠 AI to Boost Human Creativity, Not Replace It
Addressing fears that AI could make humans “lazy” or replace jobs, Chandok reassured that AI will instead expand human cognitive power. By automating routine, repetitive tasks, AI frees people to focus on critical thinking, creativity, and innovation.
He emphasized that instead of competing with machines, the real edge lies in learning how to work alongside AI—leveraging its speed and efficiency while adding human judgment and empathy.
🌍 India’s Big Opportunity in AI
Chandok highlighted how India is uniquely positioned to become a global hub for AI innovation. With a vast pool of young talent, over 800 million internet users, and rapidly expanding digital infrastructure, the country has the perfect foundation to lead the AI revolution.
But he also warned that to truly seize this opportunity, Indian youth must go beyond being passive consumers of technology. They need to practice AI hands-on, explore tools in real scenarios, and adapt quickly to new advancements.
🔑 Key Message for Youth
- Don’t just read about AI—use it daily.
- Think of AI tools as the dumbbells of the digital era—you only grow stronger if you lift them yourself.
- The future belongs to those who are AI-fluent, not just AI-aware.
✨ In short, Puneet Chandok’s message is clear and urgent:
Hands-on AI experience is not just a skill; it’s the new career currency. Those who treat AI like a gym workout—practicing it consistently, experimenting, and pushing boundaries—will be the ones who stay ahead in tomorrow’s job market.
