Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has identified handicrafts, handlooms, culinary strengths and tourism as sectors in which India could protect and expand employment despite the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking in Berlin on Friday, Goyal said the Commerce Ministry was identifying professions and industries where AI could improve efficiency without necessarily displacing workers. His remarks highlighted the importance of combining technological progress with employment opportunities in sectors that rely on human skills, creativity and experience. Goyal’s reference to “AI-proof” sectors reflects growing concerns about how automation and AI-driven tools could reshape the labour market. As businesses increasingly adopt technologies capable of performing tasks previously handled by people, governments are examining how to prepare workers for changing job requirements.

Goyal pointed to areas such as handicrafts and handlooms, where products often depend on specialised skills, traditional techniques and individual craftsmanship. These characteristics could help preserve the role of human workers even as technology becomes more widely used across industries. India’s handicrafts and handloom sectors draw on generations of traditional knowledge and skilled work. Artisans and weavers create products using techniques that can vary across regions and communities, with design, material selection and finishing often requiring practical expertise. Although digital tools may assist with marketing, inventory management, design development and access to customers, the value of many handcrafted products lies in their human input and distinctive character. Identifying such activities as potential areas of employment could form part of a broader strategy to support traditional industries while encouraging them to adopt useful technology.

Goyal also highlighted India’s culinary strengths and tourism sector. Food-related businesses depend on a combination of preparation skills, local ingredients, cultural knowledge and customer interaction. Tourism similarly involves experiences shaped by hospitality, local history, personal service and engagement with visitors. Technology can support bookings, customer communication, itinerary planning and business operations, but many aspects of these sectors continue to depend on people. Their employment potential may therefore lie in using AI to assist workers rather than treating technology solely as a replacement for human labour. The minister’s remarks also underline the challenge of ensuring that the benefits of AI adoption are shared across the economy. Artificial intelligence can help businesses process information, automate repetitive work and improve productivity.

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At the same time, some roles may change or become less in demand as employers introduce new systems. Identifying professions where technology complements human capabilities could help policymakers focus on training, investment and employment strategies. However, describing a sector as “AI-proof” does not mean it is entirely immune to technological disruption, as the effects of AI can differ between occupations and individual tasks within the same industry. The Commerce Ministry’s reported work to identify sectors where AI can improve efficiency without displacing workers points towards a focus on complementarity between people and technology. In practice, this could involve identifying tasks that can be automated while supporting workers in responsibilities requiring judgement, creativity, specialised knowledge or direct interaction with customers.

Training programmes and access to digital tools may also help traditional businesses reach new markets and improve productivity. The effectiveness of such measures would depend on how policies are designed and implemented, as well as the needs of different industries and workers. Goyal’s comments in Berlin place India’s traditional strengths within the wider discussion about AI, jobs and economic development. Handicrafts, handlooms, culinary activities and tourism are potential areas where human expertise can remain central even as businesses adopt new technologies. The minister’s emphasis is on finding ways to improve efficiency without automatically linking technological advancement to job losses. As AI use expands, identifying where it can support workers rather than replace them will remain an important consideration for employment policy and industry planning in India.

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