Gigged, Not Scripted: Anupam Mittal’s Post Sparks a Skilling Storm

Image Source: The Economic Times

The Post That sparked a Debate
Shaadi.com creator and Shark Tank India judge Anupam Mittal went to LinkedIn in a post that is half satire, half social commentary. Photographing a woman delivery valet, he posed the question, "Should she learn Python too?"—a nod to India's unreflective adoption of AI. The post went viral, generating a larger conversation about workforce realities and tech romanticism.

Key Highlights
Mittal referred to India's gig economy as a blessing, particularly for its large low-skilled workforce

He cautioned against parrot-like repetition of Western AI-first mantras, which are not necessarily applicable to India's socio-economic context

Emphasizing the difference between India's unorganized self-employed labor force and the West's organized labor and reskilling infrastructure

Quoted his own experience in America, where skilling was institutionalized in organizations—not buzzwords only

The AI and Jobs Dilemma
While AI is transforming global workplaces, Mittal emphasized that India must prioritize sustainable job creation

He noted that Western economies can afford automation due to lower populations and better safety nets

India, which has nearly 20% of the world's population, needs job strategies which are inclusive—not just deep-tech daydreams

Public Opinion and Greater Consequence
The post resonated with entrepreneurs, educators, and policymakers

Others praised Mittal for calling out the gap between tech ambition and actual jobs

His remarks have renewed skilling, digital parity, and the future of work discussion in India

Sources: Economic Times, Business Today, Times of India, Fortune India, LinkedIn post by Anupam Mittal on July 13, 2025