Archive · 14 Sep 2026
AI’s Future Hinges on Regulation, Cost, Jobs and Education
AI is becoming part of how businesses and people work, and this change is unlikely to reverse.
Shantanu Rooj says rules and costs will decide how quickly AI spreads.
Some repetitive jobs may be done by computers, but new jobs may also appear.
People will still be responsible for what AI systems do.
Knowing how to use AI will not be enough by itself.
Workers will also need knowledge of an industry and the ability to solve problems.
Because technology changes quickly, people may need to keep learning throughout their lives.
Universities may need to offer shorter, flexible courses and more real workplace experience.
The goal is to help people work effectively alongside AI.
TeamLease EdTech CEO Shantanu Rooj said the shift toward an AI-driven world is irreversible, comparing it with climate change.
Regulation and deployment costs will determine how quickly and extensively AI enters businesses and everyday life.
AI is expected to transform jobs rather than eliminate all employment, though repetitive entry-level roles face greater automation risks.
Workers with domain expertise, analytical abilities and AI application skills may be favored over people with AI skills alone.
Rooj urged lifelong reskilling and university reforms combining modular education, work experience and AI-enabled domain training.
- Who
- TeamLease EdTech Founder and CEO Shantanu Rooj, along with technology and education stakeholders discussed in the report.
- What
- The report examines how AI will affect regulation, costs, employment, skills and higher education.
- When
- The comments were reported in the article; no specific interview date is provided.
- Where
- The discussion concerns AI’s effects on businesses, workers and universities, with Rooj referring to colleges in his country.
- Why
- Regulation, cost, workplace disruption and rapidly changing skill requirements will shape the pace and depth of AI adoption.
Faster AI Adoption and Innovation
Regulation, Cost and Safety Guardrails
How quickly AI should spread
Faster AI Adoption and Innovation
Businesses may continue expanding AI use as it improves revenue, reduces costs or increases engagement.
Regulation, Cost and Safety Guardrails
Regulation and deployment expenses may limit or slow adoption, and in some cases using people could be more cost-effective.
Limits on advanced AI
Faster AI Adoption and Innovation
More capable AI agents could interact and compete with one another, creating opportunities for broader deployment.
Regulation, Cost and Safety Guardrails
Governments may need to define what AI can do, where it can be used and what limits apply; safety advocates have called for slower capability advances and stronger safeguards.
Effect on employment
Faster AI Adoption and Innovation
AI can create new roles and transform existing jobs rather than simply eliminate employment.
Regulation, Cost and Safety Guardrails
Repetitive, predictable and some entry-level roles may disappear faster, creating pressure for workers to reskill continuously.
- Main prediction
- The transition to an AI-driven world is described as irreversible.
- Key adoption factors
- Regulation and the cost of using AI will influence its speed and depth.
- Employment impact
- AI is expected to change job types, with repetitive and predictable roles particularly vulnerable.
- Emerging roles
- Cybersecurity, cloud and infrastructure management are identified as areas that may gain new roles.
- Preferred capabilities
- Domain expertise, analytical skills, adaptability and the ability to apply AI to business problems may become increasingly valuable.
- Education recommendation
- Universities should combine modular, multimodal and work-based learning with stackable credits.
- Workplace accountability
- Humans are expected to remain accountable for AI agents’ actions in the foreseeable future.