What’s on the agenda today?
Hey {{First Name| there}},
This is the debate dominating boardrooms, Slack channels, and LinkedIn comment sections right now. And for once, both sides are right — just looking at different parts of the same picture.
In This Edition We Cover
The case that AI is creating more jobs
The case that AI is increasing layoffs
The catch nobody is talking about
What HR should actually do with this
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1️⃣ The Case That AI Is Creating More Jobs
The optimists have real data.
A Nomura report via Times of India found that India recorded 83,100 AI-related hires against 31,921 layoffs linked to AI — roughly 2.6 hires for every job lost.
News Karnataka's August 2026 breakdown adds context: across Asia, 1,30,758 AI-related hires were recorded against 60,654 job losses — with India recording the largest absolute hiring impact of any country studied.
Globally, CBS News reports that US layoffs in July fell 46% year-on-year — the lowest level in two years. As one economist put it: "Recently laid-off workers are finding jobs as fast as the economy is creating new ones."
2️⃣ The Case That AI Is Increasing Layoffs
The pessimists also have real data.
CBS News reports AI has been the leading cause of layoffs for five straight months, accounting for 33% of all job cuts in July 2026. AI-related layoffs remain heavily concentrated in tech.
Meanwhile, job listings for entry-level corporate roles have fallen 15% since AI adoption accelerated — while applications per job have surged 30%. For fresh graduates, the maths is brutal.
Indian Express data shows that Indian AI workers themselves expect layoffs — with many already experiencing role compression, scope reduction, and team cuts even when headcount stays flat.
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3️⃣ The Catch Nobody Is Talking About
Here is where both sides are missing something important.
As Fortune reports, AI is changing work faster than the data can keep up. The jobs being created are often not going to the same people whose jobs are disappearing. The new roles require AI, cloud, data, and machine learning skills. The displaced roles were in support, BPO, testing, and entry-level services.
Nomura's analysis calls this a potential two-tier labour market:
🟢 Experienced workers with AI skills — demand rising fast
🔴 Entry-level workers in routine roles — under growing pressure
India's large young workforce makes this especially critical. Millions of graduates entering the job market every year now face a hiring environment where the traditional entry-level stepping stone is shrinking.
4️⃣ What HR Should Do With This
The debate is not the problem. The skills gap is.
📋 Hire for skills, not roles — AI-adjacent skills are in demand. Are your JDs reflecting 2026 or still stuck in 2022?
🔁 Retrain before you replace — people losing routine roles have institutional knowledge. Use it
📈 Create new entry points — if junior roles are shrinking, design apprenticeships and AI-adjacent trainee paths
💬 Talk to your workforce now — do not let employees find out what AI means for their role from a LinkedIn post
The answer to "is AI creating or killing jobs?" is yes. HR's job is to make sure your people end up on the right side of that.
🎉 What’s Coming Up!
TSOW HR Meetup in Chandigarh | August 22
An interactive session for HRs who want less theory and more “this worked for us.” Seats are limited save yours now!
TSOW HR Meetup in Indore | August 22
An HR meetup for meaningful dialogue and shared learning.
Get your seat while spots last.TSOW HR Meetup in Surat | August 22
Build meaningful connections with Surat’s HR community over conversations that are practical, relevant, and refreshingly honest. Join the Meetup
TSOW HR Meetup in Mumbai | August 22
Step away from your desk and into an evening of practical insights, meaningful networking, and great conversations. Register for the Meetup
TSOW x Pint of View: Fly Me to the Moon in Bangalore | August 23
Join us with Pint of View and space writer Jatan Mehta for a fascinating conversation on lunar exploration, from Apollo to Chandrayaan and beyond. Don’t miss it
TSOW HR Meetup in Delhi | August 23
Join fellow HR professionals in Delhi for an evening of networking, practical insights, and meaningful conversations. Reserve your spot today!
💬 How is your organisation thinking about AI's impact on your workforce? Drop it in #general-q&a — our leaders are ready to answer. 🙌
The TSOW HR Pulse lands every Tuesday. Got something to share? You know where to find us.
