Techies, your fat pay and even job in danger: IITian CEO joins Zoho's Sridhar Vembu in sounding the alarm

In the age of high-paying tech jobs and startup IPO dreams, a storm seems to be quietly brewing. As AI tools rapidly advance and economic power dynamics shift globally, some industry leaders are beginning to sound the alarm for techies. With artificial intelligence reshaping industries, the value placed on traditional tech roles could soon face a dramatic correction. Recently, Sridhar Vembu has shared his thoughts on this.

Zoho’s founder and CEO, Sridhar Vembu, recently took to social media to warn tech professionals not to take their current status for granted. He pointed out that software engineers earning significantly more than other professionals, such as mechanical engineers, chemists, or schoolteachers, is not a permanent reality. In his view, this imbalance is a product of market forces — one that could be disrupted at any time. Vembu emphasised the importance of staying grounded, citing the potential threat posed by productivity leaps in software development thanks to large language models (LLMs) and AI-driven tooling. He echoed the famous Intel founder Andy Grove’s words: “Only the paranoid survive.”


Joining the conversation, IIT-Bombay graduate and CEO of tech startup Tribe.best offered a broader economic perspective. He noted that AI, combined with the shift away from the US dollar in global trade (de-dollarisation), could flip the economic script. According to him, software developers, bankers, and consultants have long benefited from “easy money”, an era of excess fueled by loose capital. But as that fades, the tide could turn in favour of those working in foundational sectors like civil, mechanical, and materials engineering, people building real-world infrastructure and innovation.

Social media reacts

A user wrote, “Love this mindset! Humility and adaptability are crucial in tech. The rise of LLMs and advanced tools could reshape software roles, but it’s also a chance to redefine how we create value. Let’s stay paranoid and keep pushing forward.” Another said, “Only the Paranoid Survive...wow, what a statement sir. very true. But many think the Paranoid people are panicky type and don't pay attention..It's simple. Nothing is permanent. Change is the only Constant. Learning never end. It will when we are done and dusted. Every day we learn.” One more commented, “Well elucidated. Salary levels of s/w engineers are questioned now. The more critical thing is shrinking job opportunities for s/w engineers. Youngsters aspiring to get into the profession and lay off of current employees!”