Driving from Delhi to Mussoorie, acclaimed filmmaker Shekhar Kapur had a sharp observation to share — not about cinema, but about India’s booming coaching class industry. In a thought-provoking post on X (formerly Twitter), Kapur highlighted the stark contrast between the traditional chase for certificates and the emerging power of artificial intelligence.

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He pointed out the sheer number of coaching class signboards — often placed above restaurants — as a visual metaphor for the informal, largely unregulated education sector in India. Estimated to be worth over $25 billion, this sector spans both urban and rural India, with middle- and lower-income families placing their hopes in coaching classes to secure a certificate that might lead to a job.

However, Kapur argues that AI is about to disrupt this dynamic completely. “AI can give you the same education at home right now, and much cheaper,” he wrote, while acknowledging that the one thing AI still doesn’t offer is a certificate — the key document still required for most job applications.

“But AI is soon not only going to change the nature of recruitment,” he added, “but also the nature of the job.”

In a striking line that has since gone viral, Kapur noted, “AI will soon give every job seeker the ability, the power of exploring their own abilities beyond the coaching class certificate.”

He envisions a future where individuals won’t need traditional degrees or coaching badges to prove their worth — instead, they’ll rely on real skills, curiosity, and AI-powered tools to shape their careers.

Kapur concluded with an idea that challenges the very foundation of conventional job thinking: “We are heading to a time where everyone will be their own CEO.”

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His remarks have ignited a broader discussion online about the future of education, job readiness, and the value of formal certification in an age increasingly driven by technology and automation.