Three in Four Professionals Impacted by AI, Upskilling in AI/ML Key for FY25

Three out of four professionals say their work is being impacted by technological disruptions, especially those related to artificial intelligence. According to survey data from ET’s access-only skilling platform, Great Learning, the most in-demand talents for upskilling in FY25 seem to be artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (AI/ML).

Great Learning co-founder Hari Krishnan Nair states that major worries include job displacement and instability. “A lot of these respondents are already seeing jobs taken over by AI; perhaps not their exact job, but they do worry that they will likely lose their jobs if they don’t upskill in AI,” Nair stated.

Also Read: India’s AI Growth Hindered by Skill Shortage: Deloitte-Nasscom Report

Nair noted that by using more Gen AI, IT services, consulting firms, and global capability centres (GCCs), they stand to earn significantly over short periods. Furthermore, because of the productivity and efficiency increases brought about by AI, some clients might be asking for fewer FTEs (full-time equivalents) to be deployed per project.

According to Nair, corporations aim to expand their generative AI training beyond technical teams to include upskilling in operations, customer service, human resources, finance, marketing, and other departments by FY25.

Most surveys previously conducted by different companies and employment platforms also indicate the need for a shift towards artificial intelligence. A few examples are shared below. 

According to a survey by the employment site Indeed, the most sought-after skill for AI positions in India is “Python,” with 40% citing “machine learning” concerning Gen AI positions.

Professionals with experience in machine learning, data science, and cloud engineering are in high demand from organizations like IBM, Coforge, L&T Technology Services, and Happiest Minds.

Also Read: AI Integration in Indian Enterprises: IBM Report Highlights 59% Adoption Rate

According to research released on August 21 by Microsoft-owned developer platform GitHub, “nearly all respondents in India (99%) believe this skill makes them more attractive candidates, underlining the growing importance of AI across various fields.”

The usage of Gen AI is becoming increasingly commonplace, and soon, everyone will be expected to be able to utilize it. However, he noted that the deeper skill set that must be developed is in AI and machine learning, which is far more difficult and requires a lot more time to learn.