Your career vs. AI: How Coursera can help you get ready for the future

Would AI take your job? Well, it certainly can, at least based on what Anthropic CEO recently warned: “AI could eliminate half of all entry-level white-collar jobs”.

That sounds dangerous for many workers especially those still hoping that automation is a distant threat. But in reality, AI is already reshaping workplaces, and it's not the bots replacing humans—it’s unprepared humans being left behind.

According to recent estimates from McKinsey and Goldman Sachs, AI could displace up to 300 million full-time jobs globally with roles in data entry, customer service, basic accounting, and legal support among the first to go. In India alone, industry observers expect that over 10 lakh entry-level IT, BPO, and content moderation roles may be at risk within the next five years. Even junior software engineers and graphic designers are not immune as generative AI tools become more capable.

From entry-level analysts to senior engineers, many professionals now face a growing skills gap. The risk isn’t just losing relevance—it's being replaced by someone who’s AI-ready.

But Coursera, which was founded by elite computer scientists, wants to change that.

The global online learning platform has launched a limited-time offer on its annual Coursera Plus subscription, giving Indian users access to over 7,000 courses, job-ready certificates, and degree pathways at a sharply discounted rate. Learners can now upgrade their skillsets through programs from top-tier institutions like Google, Microsoft, IBM, Stanford, IITs, and more—all bundled under one subscription.

For many, this could be the fastest, most affordable way to stay competitive.

Available until July 21, 2025, this push enables access to some of Coursera’s most sought-after career-building programs. These include in-demand professional certificates like Google Data Analytics, Google Project Management, Microsoft AI & ML Engineering, and IBM Generative AI Engineering. 

Specialized programs in roles such as data scientist, cybersecurity analyst, and UX designer are also included, many with free trials and “New AI Skills” labels. The platform also features trending certifications in content creation for TikTok and YouTube, Adobe Graphic Design, and SAP Business Analysis—fields that are evolving quickly due to artificial intelligence (AI) integration.

For those looking to explore career pivots or boost their credentials, Coursera’s “Choose Your Role” tool offers curated pathways aligned with current industry demands. For example, Data Analysts in India have access to more than 23,000 job openings, while Data Scientists are seeing a median salary of Rs 4.5 lakh, based on Coursera's estimates.

Cybersecurity Analysts, one of the few roles expected to grow despite automation, have over 2,100 job openings listed, with a median salary of Rs 2.77 lakh/year. Coursera also reports that 77% of learners experience career benefits, including higher pay and job changes, as per its 2023 Learner Outcomes Report.

Notably, the platform offers access to over 1,000 courses in Business, 668 in Computer Science, 425 in Data Science, and 471 in Health and these are areas most impacted by digital transformation and AI-led disruption.

Additionally, Coursera now features AI-driven learning tracks focused on Generative AI business strategies, open-source tools like Hugging Face, and even degree pathways such as BSc in Data Science & AI from IIT Guwahati and iMBA from the University of Illinois.

As many experts warn, in an AI-first world, it’s not the jobs that are disappearing, it’s the outdated skills that are being left behind.