Sridhar Vembu, the founder of Zoho, shared his belief that even if robots take over some tasks, most people won’t end up jobless. However, he suggested that governments across the world should improve economic policies so that the common people can buy low-priced AI and robot-made products.
In a post on X, Vembu rejected the widely held fear that machines are on the verge of replacing the entire human workforce.
Sridhar Vembu opens up on the subject of AI and jobs
“On the subject of AI and jobs: Hypothetically, if all software development were to be automated — I want to emphasise that we are nowhere close to that goal — and all software engineers such as myself are out of work, it is not like human beings will have nothing to do,” he wrote.
The former CEO of Zoho Corporation outlined two possible solutions.
First, prices of AI-produced goods and services could drop dramatically, possibly to zero, just like air, which we consume without cost or complaint.
Second, the human-centred tasks that remain—childcare, nursing, cooking, farming, environmental restoration, spiritual care, local arts—might become highly valued and well paid. This, in turn, would allow income to circulate widely enough to support demand for those ultra-cheap goods.
“The price of all the robot-made goods and all the AI-made and AI-supported software would drop massively and be close to zero or zero. Breathing air costs us zero and we don’t complain about it,” Vembu wrote.
The Indian billionaire argued that the fundamental problem isn’t the displacement of workers by machines, but rather the inability of governments to create systems that ensure equitable distribution of wealth. According to Vembu, this issue is rooted in political and economic policy.
“This is fundamentally an economic distribution problem, a problem of political economy and not purely a technological problem. One key part is for governments to crack down on monopolies, particularly tech monopolies,” he said.
The business magnate also called for a measured approach to the bold claims of massive job cuts and cost efficiency linked to AI.
He pointed out the need to separate the buzz from the reality, claiming that although artificial intelligence is making notable advancements, its real-world influence on employment is not impactful at this stage.
He urged governments across the world to break up monopolies, especially in the tech sector. He reasoned that if not done, prices may not reflect the actual low costs brought on by automation and AI.
He concluded optimistically, saying, “There will be at least one country in the world that would get the political economy right.”
Also read: NASA, ISRO to launch Axiom Mission 4 on June 10; to be piloted by Indian Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla (startuppedia.in)
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