"Anxiety about AI appears to be a function of affluence and awareness rather than actual risk." Critically examine this with reference to developing economies like India.

In 2026, Pew Research Centre surveyed 37 countries. A median 55% of adults in high-income countries expect AI to mean fewer jobs, against 36% in middle-income countries [1]. The statement explains this gap well. But it wrongly suggests that countries like India are worried less because they face less risk.

Where the statement holds

• Affluence tracks exposure: About 60% of jobs in advanced economies are exposed to AI, against 40% in emerging markets and 26% in low-income countries [2]. Rich economies have more desk jobs, so part of their fear is realistic.
• Awareness shapes opinion: In middle-income countries, 34% are "not sure" how AI will affect jobs, against 22% in high-income countries. Pew also finds that awareness of AI rises with income [1].
• Change, not loss: The ILO finds that generative AI is more likely to augment jobs than destroy them [3]. So lower anxiety is not entirely misplaced.

Where it falls short

• Being behind is not being safe: Lower exposure comes from having fewer office jobs, not from being ready. The IMF warns that poorer nations lack the infrastructure and skills to benefit from AI, which could widen gaps between countries [2].
• Risk is concentrated in specific jobs: NITI Aayog warns that India's tech services sector could see significant job losses by 2031 [4]. The national average hides this risk to India's export engine.
• Gender: Clerical work is the most exposed. The share of women's jobs at risk is more than double that of men's [3], so AI threatens a key route for women into paid work.
• Inequality within the country: In middle-income countries, ICT workers and teachers account for nearly three-quarters of AI use [5]. About 490 million informal workers risk being left out [6].
• Policy tilt: Of the IndiaAI Mission's seven pillars, only FutureSkills is directly aimed at workers [7].

Overall, the statement describes attitudes correctly but is a poor guide to risk: India is calmer about AI largely because it knows less about it. Uncertainty can be turned into preparedness through NITI Aayog's proposed National AI Talent Mission [4] and Mission Digital ShramSetu [6], with IndiaAI FutureSkills reaching women and informal workers first [7]. This would make India's AI transition match SDG 8 (decent work for all).