AI Now Handles 40% of Tech Tasks, Human Oversight Still Vital
Overview
Artificial intelligence is rapidly integrating into the tech workplace, already performing up to 40% of tasks. A new report by Nasscom and Indeed indicates 97% of HR leaders foresee humans working alongside AI by 2027. Despite automation, quality concerns necessitate continued human oversight, and skilling initiatives are paramount.
AI Becomes a Co-Worker
Artificial intelligence is no longer confined to back-office operations; it is rapidly becoming an integrated co-worker within technology organizations. A report by Nasscom and Indeed reveals that AI is already handling between 20% and 40% of work across various functions, with software development showing significant AI penetration.
Future of Work Forecast
Nearly all HR leaders, 97%, anticipate a fundamental shift by 2027, where work will be defined by humans collaborating with AI rather than using it sporadically. This signals a move from AI as a support system to an embedded element in daily workflows and decision-making processes. Ketaki Karnik, head of research at Nasscom, stated that the primary opportunity lies in preparing the workforce to effectively collaborate with AI as automation intensifies.
Quality Concerns Persist
While automation is advancing, concerns regarding output quality remain. Over half of surveyed respondents flagged issues with incomplete or low-quality AI-generated results. This directly underscores the indispensable need for human oversight to ensure accuracy and integrity in AI-assisted work. Software development, in particular, sees 45% of its work already handled by AI, followed by intelligent automation and business process management.
Evolving Job Expectations
Sashi Kumar, managing director of Indeed India, noted that the core change is not in the number of jobs but in their expectations from employees. Roles are evolving internally, necessitating adaptation from both enterprises and jobseekers to a "human-plus-AI ecosystem." Hiring practices are reflecting this, with 85% of hiring managers observing an increase in skills-based hiring and 98% emphasizing the need for hybrid and multidisciplinary skill sets.
AI Agents and Employer Challenges
The adoption of AI agents is also accelerating, with over 95% of respondents using or planning to use them, and 65% believing these agents can outperform humans in data-intensive tasks. However, employers face substantial hurdles. Security and privacy risks (77%) lead the concerns, followed by legacy system integration, ethical considerations, and resistance to change. Workforce readiness is also a major worry for 40% of HR leaders, despite reskilling investments.
The Real Challenge: Role Misalignment
Rather than predicting widespread job losses, the report highlights a more immediate challenge: roles are evolving faster than organizations can formally define them. This misalignment poses confusion in the job market, emphasizing the urgency for hiring frameworks and role definitions to catch up with the evolving nature of work.
