Sadhguru Predicts AI Will End “Intellectual Coolies” Era — Entrepreneurs Must Stay Agile

On November 27, 2025, spiritual leader and thought-leader spoke about how artificial intelligence (AI) could end what he called the era of “intellectual coolies” — people engaged in repetitive mental labour. According to him, we are now shifting into a new age where the way businesses operate will more directly shape quality of life, rather than traditional forces such as politics or military power.

He made these remarks at the opening of the 14th edition of a business-leadership program, held at a yoga-center in Coimbatore, which draws over 200 business owners, executives and entrepreneurs from more than 20 nations including United States, United Kingdom, Japan and Singapore.

What he really meant is that AI will likely automate or make redundant many intellectual tasks that people currently do, especially repetitive or routine ones. For those whose livelihood depends on doing the same job over decades, this is a wake-up call. He said the power of “intellectual coolies” will vanish, but this should not be feared. Instead it must serve as a push to rethink how we use our intelligence and creativity, in ways machines cannot.

He pointed out that people who consider one qualification or a single job as their anchor for life will find themselves challenged. For them, certainty is disappearing. For entrepreneurs and agile thinkers, however, this represents opportunity. He urged business people to stay on their toes, ready to reimagine and reinvent. He said entrepreneurship is not about survival, it is about adventure; sometimes risking everything to build something new.

At the same event, he called for constant introspection and integrity. He advised entrepreneurs to question every step, rather than jump to conclusions. According to him, conclusions are death, while questions keep you alive, adaptive, and inventive.
An accompanying voice at the event, of a prominent business-leader from the UK, emphasised the value of a loyal team and supportive family to sustain enterprises through challenging times. He stressed that it is better to fail doing the right thing than to succeed doing the wrong thing.

In​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ essence, this indicates that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is not merely a menace to employment, at least not to the overall human potential. Instead, it is a chance to redesign the type of work humans do. In a world where routine thinking is taken away, more profound creativity, emotional intelligence, ethical leadership and adaptability will be of greater value.

This is a moment for entrepreneurs to make a turn, to create businesses that do not merely follow the profit trail. Businesses ought to influence the way people live, and foresee the needs of the future. The point is not only to be at the level with AI-driven change, but to be the one who leads it.

Sadhguru’s message is unmistakable: the planet is changing, and businesses, being at the core of that change, have the power to influence human welfare. If you operate in a traditional way, you run the risk of becoming outdated. On the other hand, if you are flexible, you will be able to harness the change as a powerful force, and even be the leader of ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌it.