Goenka recently shared a video on X showing a barber performing a haircut and shave while wearing a motion-capture setup. The equipment appears to track the barber's movements, including hand positions, angles and techniques, potentially creating data that could be used to train AI systems or robots to replicate physical tasks.
Sharing the video, Goenka wrote: “AI training going on India! Even barbers job may soon be at risk ??.
What Does the Barber Training Video Show?
In the footage, the barber is seen working normally while wearing specialised equipment, including cameras, sensors and tracking devices. The system appears to capture his movements as he cuts hair and performs grooming-related tasks.
Unlike conventional AI applications that process text, images or computer-based information, this type of technology focuses on learning physical movements. Data collected from skilled workers could potentially help researchers develop robots capable of performing complicated tasks that currently require human hands and judgement.
Haircutting and shaving require precision, timing and constant visual assessment. A barber also needs to adjust techniques depending on a customer's hair, face and preferences. The viral video has therefore raised questions about whether such skills could eventually be learned by machines.
Does This Mean Barbers Will Be Replaced?AI training going on India ! Even barbers job may soon be at risk 🙈 pic.twitter.com/99CAwj5m2h
— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) September 14, 2026
Not necessarily. The video demonstrates the collection of movement data, rather than proving that an autonomous robot is ready to replace professional barbers.
There are also practical challenges involved in automating personal grooming. Cutting hair or shaving involves working close to a person's skin and, in some cases, using sharp tools. Safety, customer preferences, personalised styling and the ability to respond instantly to unexpected situations remain important considerations.
Nevertheless, the technology illustrates a broader shift in automation—from repetitive factory operations and computer-based jobs to tasks that traditionally depended heavily on human physical skills.
Goenka Had Earlier Shared a Mehendi-Applying Machine Video
The barber video is not the first time Goenka has used social media to highlight the possible impact of automation on traditional occupations.Some more jobs gone 🙈 pic.twitter.com/jKiUzB8gOA
— Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) September 9, 2026
Earlier this month, he shared a video appearing to show a machine applying intricate mehendi designs to a woman's hand. Goenka captioned the post, “Some more jobs gone,” prompting a discussion about whether technology could affect professional mehendi artists.
However, there is an important caveat. Reports noted that the mehendi video was AI-generated, meaning it should not be treated as confirmed evidence of a commercially available machine capable of replacing mehendi artists.
The two videos have nevertheless fuelled a larger conversation about the future of work. As AI and robotics become increasingly capable of understanding and reproducing human actions, professions once considered difficult to automate may also face technological disruption.
For now, the barber video is better understood as an example of AI learning human physical skills, rather than proof that barbers are about to become obsolete.
