metro india news  I NEW DELHI

Mahindra Group Chairman Anand Mahindra has asserted that artificial intelligence (AI) will not displace workers but elevate practical skills, transforming traditional blue-collar roles into high-value, “gold-collar” professions with dignity and long-term relevance.

In his New Year message to Mahindra Group employees, Mahindra dismissed fears around AI-led disruption, calling the technology an “accelerator, not a threat.” He said as intelligent systems take over repetitive tasks, hands-on skills enhanced by AI will become premium assets across industries.

“AI can turn blue collar into gold,” Mahindra noted, emphasising that technicians, machinists and craftspeople who work confidently alongside digital tools and data-driven systems will redefine shop-floor work. According to him, the future will rediscover the value of people who build, repair, operate and craft real-world machinery, with AI amplifying their capabilities rather than replacing them.

Highlighting the group’s commitment to skill development, Mahindra referred to his recent role as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Young India Skills University in Telangana. He described the institution as a pioneering effort to prepare India’s youth for a future where high-tech proficiency goes hand in hand with vocational mastery. He also pointed to initiatives such as Mahindra Tractors Skill Development Centres and Tech Mahindra’s future-ready talent academies.

Looking ahead to the new year, Mahindra said global uncertainty arising from rapid technological change and shifting geopolitics should be seen as a “proving ground” rather than a challenge. With stronger capabilities and a focus on nurturing world-class talent, he said the group aims not just to weather change but to chart new paths for growth.

Reflecting on 2025, Mahindra said the group strengthened market leadership across SUVs, farm equipment, electric three-wheelers and finance, while its EV push helped reposition the brand as modern, confident and future-ready.