A high salary may look like a ticket to a comfortable life, but what happens when the job behind that salary becomes uncertain? An Indian technology professional has sparked an important discussion by warning software engineers against taking on large, long-term loans based only on their current earnings. Her concern is that artificial intelligence (AI) could change the technology industry significantly over the next 10 to 15 years, leaving some professionals struggling to manage their monthly payments if they lose their jobs or face salary cuts.
The warning has caught the attention of people working in IT, especially those planning to purchase homes, cars or other expensive assets through loans. It also raises a bigger question for India’s salaried middle class: Is it safe to make financial decisions today based on the assumption that tomorrow’s income will remain the same?
Why Is This Tech Professional Warning Software Engineers?
Princi Vershwal, a technology professional who shared her views on Instagram, has highlighted the financial pressure that can follow a sudden job loss when a person has several EMIs to pay.
She explained that losing a job is already stressful, but the situation becomes much harder when monthly loan payments continue despite the loss of income.
Her message is particularly relevant to software engineers earning high salaries. Some professionals earning ₹40 lakh, ₹50 lakh or even ₹1 crore annually may believe they can comfortably manage a large home loan because their present income is strong.
However, Vershwal questioned whether anyone can confidently predict that their salary, job role and career opportunities will remain unchanged throughout a loan lasting 15 or 20 years.
She later clarified that she was not saying software engineering jobs would disappear completely. Her concern was that workers should not assume their present employment conditions will remain the same for the next 15 years.
How Could AI Change Software Engineering Jobs?
AI tools are becoming increasingly capable of assisting with programming, software testing, debugging and other technical tasks. Work that previously required several hours from a developer can sometimes be completed much faster with AI assistance.
Companies may use these tools to improve productivity, reduce development costs and complete projects with smaller teams. As businesses adopt AI, some traditional roles could change, while certain repetitive tasks may require fewer workers.
This does not mean that all software engineers will lose their jobs. Businesses still need people who can understand customer requirements, check AI-generated code, protect sensitive information and manage complicated technology systems.
However, the skills companies value may change over time. Engineers who continue learning and adapt to new tools may find opportunities, while those relying entirely on older skills could face greater competition.
For India’s large IT industry, this transition could influence recruitment, salaries and career progression, particularly for professionals whose work mainly involves routine coding or testing.
Why Long-Term EMIs Can Become a Serious Problem
An EMI is manageable when income is stable and expenses remain under control. The difficulty begins when a person’s financial commitments continue but their earnings suddenly fall.
Consider a software engineer earning ₹2 lakh per month who takes a home loan with an EMI of ₹80,000. The payment may appear manageable while the salary arrives regularly.
Now imagine that the engineer loses the job and takes several months to find another position. The home loan EMI remains due, along with household expenses, insurance premiums, school fees and other obligations.
If the next job offers a lower salary, the financial pressure could continue even after employment resumes.
The problem becomes more serious when the person has also taken loans for a car, personal expenses or other purchases. Multiple EMIs can quickly consume savings that might otherwise help the family manage an emergency.
This is why a high salary alone does not guarantee financial security. What matters is whether a household can continue meeting its essential expenses when income is interrupted.
Why Buying a House Requires Careful Financial Planning
Homeownership is an important goal for many Indian families. Buying a house can provide stability, but a large home loan can also become a long-term responsibility.
For example, a person taking a 20-year loan may expect to receive regular salary increases and promotions. However, changes in the economy, family responsibilities or the job market can affect those expectations.
A loan that feels affordable today may become difficult to manage if the borrower faces a career break, medical emergency or unexpected family expense.
Before purchasing a property, buyers should calculate the EMI against their regular take-home income rather than their headline annual package. They should also account for maintenance charges, property taxes, insurance, daily expenses and other existing loans.
It is equally important to avoid using all available savings for a down payment. Keeping an emergency fund can provide valuable protection if employment conditions change.
The goal is not to discourage people from buying homes. It is to ensure that the purchase remains affordable even when life does not go according to plan.
What About Software Engineers With ₹40 Lakh or ₹1 Crore Salaries?
A large salary can provide more financial flexibility, but it does not remove every risk.
Someone earning ₹50 lakh annually may have a substantial home loan, expensive lifestyle commitments and responsibility for supporting parents or children. Another person earning ₹20 lakh may have lower expenses, limited debt and significant savings.
In some situations, the second person could be better prepared to handle a sudden loss of income.
This is why financial decisions should not be based only on salary figures. Monthly obligations, savings, family responsibilities and the ability to find alternative employment are equally important.
Professionals should also be cautious about increasing their spending every time their income rises. Buying a more expensive car or moving into a much larger home after a salary increase can create additional financial pressure if earnings later decline.
How Can Indian IT Professionals Protect Their Finances?
There are several practical steps technology workers can take to reduce financial risk.
Build an emergency fund: Aim to keep enough money to cover essential expenses and EMIs for at least six months. Those with a single household income, large loans or an uncertain employment situation may want a larger reserve.
Keep EMIs manageable: Avoid taking on loans simply because a bank is willing to approve them. Calculate whether the payments would remain affordable if income fell significantly.
Continue learning: Software engineers can improve their career flexibility by learning AI-assisted development, cloud computing, cybersecurity, data engineering and other relevant skills. The right choice depends on their experience and interests.
Avoid unnecessary debt: Expensive lifestyle purchases can wait if they would leave the family with little savings after paying monthly instalments.
Protect the family: Review health insurance, suitable life insurance and other essential financial safeguards. Insurance coverage should reflect family needs and outstanding liabilities.
Plan for more than one outcome: Consider what would happen if a job search took six months, a new role paid less or a bonus did not arrive. Planning for these possibilities is more useful than assuming a steady salary forever.
Will AI Eliminate Software Engineering Jobs?
The future remains uncertain. AI could automate more programming tasks, change hiring patterns and increase the productivity expected from individual employees. It could also create new opportunities in AI implementation, security, integration and other technical fields.
The outcome will depend on how quickly businesses adopt the technology and how workers, employers and educational institutions respond.
For Indian professionals, the sensible approach is to prepare for change without assuming either that every technology job is safe or that the entire industry will disappear.
A Warning About Money, Not Just Technology
Princi Vershwal’s message has started a wider conversation because it connects two major concerns: the future of AI and the financial pressure of long-term debt.
A person cannot control every change in the job market, but they can make careful decisions about borrowing, spending and saving.
A high salary can help build wealth, but only when financial commitments remain realistic and savings provide a cushion against unexpected events.
For software engineers planning to buy a home or take a major loan, the key lesson is simple: make decisions based on what you can comfortably afford, not only on what you earn today. A secure financial future depends not just on earning more, but also on being prepared when circumstances change.