India, Aug. 29 -- Over the past two years, I have had hundreds of conversations, with fresh graduates trying to find their footing, mid-career professionals questioning their next move, and seasoned tech leaders navigating complex transitions. No matter where they are on their journey, the sentiment is the same: The ground beneath our careers is shifting faster than ever.

The recent wave of tech layoffs is not just another downcycle. It is not the dotcom bust, nor is it the 2008 financial crisis replayed. This time, the driver is not an economic collapse but a technological one. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has moved from being a silent partner to, in many cases, the lead executor. Companies are not simply cutting headcount; they are red...