At HCLTech, we’re not just talking about the future of work, we're building it alongside our clients every single day. Leading our Digital Engineering and AI Force programs has given me a front-row seat to real transformation: teams reimagining how work gets done, operating models shifting in real time and entirely new roles emerging seemingly overnight.

I’ve seen people move from initial curiosity to empowered confidence as AI steps in. Not as a threat, but as a trusted collaborator. With the right mindset, leaders across industries can harness this change to drive meaningful, scalable and future-ready transformation.

AI as a catalyst for human potential

The conversation around AI has shifted dramatically. In the early days, the prevailing concern was, “How many jobs will become redundant?” Today, the narrative is far more constructive. Clients are asking, “How do we elevate our teams and equip them to work alongside AI?”

That shift is playing out visibly on the ground. Analysts no longer spend hours cleaning data. Instead, they’re uncovering insights that shape strategy. Developers hand off repetitive coding tasks to AI and focus on architecture, performance and innovation. Service teams lean into complex problem-solving while virtual agents manage high-volume routine queries.

Having led AI transformations across banking, healthcare, manufacturing and retail, one insight is clear: the human element doesn’t disappear, it becomes indispensable. The real power of AI lies not in replacing people, but in empowering them to focus on higher-value, more meaningful work.

New roles that make AI real

The pace of innovation has sparked a wave of new roles across every major organization. The demand is so strong that HCLTech is no longer waiting for talent to emerge, we’re actively developing it from within.

These aren’t hypothetical titles; they’re new essential roles shaping the future of work:

• AI ethics consultants: As AI systems take on decisions affecting real lives — like loan approvals or medical diagnoses — someone must ensure fairness and accountability. I’ve seen biased data lead to unintended harm. These consultants are the ethical compass of AI implementation.
• AI product managers: The bridge between technical capability and business reality. Recently, a client wanted to “use AI for everything,” but an AI Product Manager pinpointed the real issue — customer retention — and delivered the right AI solution with a clear business goal.
• Prompt engineers: Specialists in communicating with AI models for optimal output. I’ve seen prompt engineers generate 10x better results from the same model, just by changing how they asked the question.
• Human-AI collaboration specialists: The architects of seamless workflows. They design when AI steps in, when humans take over and how both interact in harmony, turning hybrid intelligence into a working reality.

Human skills that remain essential

Across every project, I’ve seen which human capabilities truly make AI work. These are the skills that bridge the gap between potential and impact:

• AI literacy: Two years ago, it was possible to hire great talent with no AI exposure. That’s no longer sustainable. While not everyone needs to code, understanding what AI can-and-cannot do is essential. I’ve seen initiatives stumble because expectations were misaligned with reality.
• Critical thinking: AI can process massive datasets, but it can’t assess whether the result makes sense. Recently, a retail AI system recommended stocking winter coats in Chennai due to a flawed historical data point. A human analyst caught the error, saving the client millions.
• Emotional intelligence: In client meetings, it’s always the emotionally attuned professionals who move the conversation forward. AI can track sentiment trends, but it can’t replace empathy, build trust or address unspoken concerns.
• Adaptability: AI tools evolve constantly. The professionals who thrive are those who embrace change. I’ve seen skeptical engineers become AI’s strongest advocates once they saw how it enhanced — not diminished — their roles.

Getting human-AI collaboration right

In every successful AI implementation at HCLTech, one principle remains constant: deliberate integration of human and AI capabilities. It’s never about replacing one with the other. It’s about enabling both to operate at their best.

In banking, AI can evaluate loan applications in seconds, however, human judgment is essential in nuanced or exceptional cases. In customer service, chatbots handle routine questions instantly, while human agents step in for more complex, emotional or critical issues. The result? Faster resolution, higher satisfaction and stronger customer loyalty.

Upskilling: Bridging the talent gap with intent

When I’m asked about the AI skills gap, my answer is clear: yes, it exists but it’s absolutely solvable. When I started leading AI programs, over 90% of my team had no AI experience. Today, many of them are leading upskilling efforts for others.

The key is starting with the fundamentals. We don’t expect everyone to become data scientists, but we do teach them to interpret AI outputs, spot anomalies and apply human judgment where it matters most. At HCLTech, the most effective upskilling happens through real-world experience. Classroom theory matters, but there’s no substitute for solving business challenges with AI tools in live environments.

The future is hybrid

Looking ahead, three trends are becoming clear:

• Every role is becoming a hybrid role. Whether in marketing, finance or operations — AI is becoming a fundamental part of how work gets done.
• Upskilling outperforms hiring. The best-performing organizations aren’t trying to “hire their way” out of the skills gap. Instead, they’re investing in existing employees who already understand their business, customers and culture.
• Collaboration drives innovation. Companies embracing human-AI collaboration — not replacement — are seeing the greatest returns. They’re not just more efficient; they’re unlocking entirely new levels of innovation and agility.

The bottom line

After three years of implementing AI at scale and witnessing industry after industry transform, one thing is certain: the future doesn’t belong to AI alone. It belongs to those who know how to work with it. Change isn’t always easy, but it is inevitable. The question now is not if  AI will reshape how we work, but how fast  we can adapt to make that shift work in our favor.

At HCLTech, we remain optimistic because we see what’s possible when it’s done right: work becomes more purposeful, customers are better served and innovation accelerates. The future of work isn’t humans versus  machines — it’s humans with  machines. Designed thoughtfully. Governed responsibly. Scaled pragmatically.

That future isn’t coming. It’s already here.