Startups Will Drive AI Era Job Creation, Says Nandan Nilekani

10 Sept 2026, 4:11 pm · 2d ago · 1 min read · Inc42

Speaking at the Global Fintech Fest 2026, Infosys cofounder Nandan Nilekani stated that startups and small businesses will become primary drivers of employment in the artificial intelligence era. He noted that while large corporations can easily automate structured roles and downsize workforces, smaller firms possess dynamic roles that are resilient to automation. Nilekani projected India’s startup ecosystem to grow from 1.5 lakh startups in 2025 to 10 lakh by 2035. He also highlighted that regulatory initiatives by RBI and SEBI around asset tokenisation will improve small businesses' access to capital and markets.