TLDR: Microsoft India President Puneet Chandok has strongly advised young people to actively engage with and become proficient in using Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. He emphasized that AI fluency is ‘super important’ and can only be achieved through hands-on experience, not just theoretical knowledge. Chandok also highlighted the emergence of new career opportunities driven by AI and stressed the importance of continuous upskilling.
New Delhi, August 24, 2025 – Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India, has issued a compelling call to action for the nation’s youth, urging them to develop practical fluency in Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. In an interview with PTI, Chandok underscored the critical importance of hands-on engagement with AI, stating that such skills cannot be acquired through mere observation or theoretical study. He drew a vivid analogy, remarking, ‘you can’t get fit by watching others go to the gym. You have to go to the gym yourself. Same with AI tools. You can’t learn by watching others use the tools, start using these tools.’
Chandok dismissed concerns raised by a recent MIT Media Lab study regarding AI’s potential cognitive consequences, asserting his belief that AI actually enhances cognitive abilities. He explained that AI automates ‘routine drudgery,’ thereby liberating users to concentrate on ‘value-adding, judgment-driven work.’
The Microsoft India President also highlighted the rapid evolution of the job market due to AI, pointing to the emergence of new career avenues such as ‘agent managers’ and ‘prompt engineers.’ He stressed that job profiles are undergoing significant transformation, making constant upskilling an indispensable requirement for individuals and organizations alike to adapt to evolving demands.
For future workplace success, Chandok identified three crucial areas: ‘AI fluency, building AI, and ability to build agents and work with them and digital colleagues.’ He further added that foundational skills like ‘resilience, agility, speed, growth mindset’ will become even more paramount. He noted that many roles that did not exist just 12 months ago are now being created as a direct result of AI’s advancements.
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This advice from a leading figure in the technology sector underscores the growing imperative for individuals to proactively embrace and master AI technologies to thrive in the rapidly changing global economy.
