TL;DR:
- India experienced a remarkable 14-fold surge in AI-proficient professionals from 2016 to 2023.
- LinkedIn’s report positions India among the top 5 nations globally for AI talent.
- Soft skills gain prominence, with 91% of executives acknowledging their importance.
- Over 43% of Indian workforce witnesses increased AI integration in their workplaces.
- 60% of workers and 71% of Gen Z professionals in India recognize the value of AI skills.
- A majority of Indian professionals (69%) believe soft skills contribute to fresh perspectives.
- 2 in 3 Indians aim to acquire digital skills in 2023, with AI and ML at the forefront.
- Employers are urged to prioritize skills-first hiring for talent pool expansion and agility.
- AI talent recruitment in India surpasses broader hiring trends in the APAC region.
Main AI News:
In a remarkable revelation, India has witnessed an unprecedented 14-fold increase in the number of individuals proficient in artificial intelligence (AI) from January 2016 to June 2023. This striking surge has been unveiled through a freshly published report by LinkedIn, the eminent online professional networking platform.
The report casts a spotlight on India’s ascendancy in the realm of AI expertise, securing a coveted position within the top 5 nations for AI talent. Sharing this prestigious stage are countries like Singapore, Finland, Ireland, and Canada. Ashutosh Gupta, the Country Manager at LinkedIn India, underscored the pivotal acknowledgment of these competencies within the Indian workforce.
Gupta expressed, “As the contours of industries are reshaped by AI, India stands resolute in acknowledging the potency of human potential, emphasizing the integral role that soft skills will assume in erecting an exemplary workforce for the future. With luminaries of India’s corporate echelons attesting to the efficacy of interpersonal adeptness in the AI age, we embark upon an epoch that esteems a labor milieu more gratifying and human-centered.”
Emanating from LinkedIn’s report is an intriguing revelation: over the preceding year, a substantial 43 percent of the Indian workforce has borne witness to an augmented integration of AI in their professional domains. This catalytic surge has impelled a remarkable transformation – a staggering 60 percent of the entire workforce and a resounding 71 percent of Gen Z professionals in India now recognize the enriching potential of acquiring AI skills, a veritable boon for their career trajectories.
Beyond this, a fascinating trend materializes – an impressive two-thirds of Indians express their commitment to learning at least one digital skill in the ongoing year, 2023. Notably, the domains of AI and Machine Learning emerge as the crown jewels in their coveted skill set.
Gupta adeptly adds that the onus of championing these competencies lies squarely on employers’ shoulders. He enunciates, “To harness this juncture, leaders must fortify their allegiance to a talent-acquisition approach grounded in skills. Prioritizing potential over a predefined pedigree can not only expand the reservoir of talent but also invigorate upskilling endeavors and instill dexterity within their workforce.”
The report accentuates an intriguing narrative: during the year 2022, the upsurge in AI talent recruitment has outstripped the broader hiring trends in the Asia-Pacific region. A staggering 57 percent of industry executives are charting a course to amplify AI utilization within their organizational frameworks for the upcoming year.
A paradigm shift is palpable as well, one that spotlights the ascension of soft skills to the forefront. A notable 91 percent of senior executives concede the escalating significance of these attributes, a notable ascent from the global average of 72 percent. This sentiment resonates deeply with India’s professional cohort, where a resounding 69 percent firmly believe that soft skills, spanning from creative acumen to adept problem-solving, empower them to infuse a novel perspective into their work.
The LinkedIn India Country Manager expounds upon the crux of this transformative approach, elucidating, “By championing a mindset that esteems skills as paramount, we embrace an extraordinary occasion to equip our nation’s youth – especially those situated beyond urban epicenters – with a harmonious blend of digital prowess and human acumen. This, in turn, shall empower them to steer purposeful vocations and flourish within the contours of tomorrow’s labor landscape.”
Conclusion:
The surge in AI proficiency highlighted by LinkedIn’s report underscores India’s dynamic progression in the global AI landscape. With a burgeoning pool of AI-skilled professionals, India is poised to harness its potential and seize opportunities across various sectors. The emphasis on soft skills and digital upskilling is indicative of a workforce prepared for the future of work. Businesses must prioritize skills-first hiring to tap into this talent pool, fostering agility and innovation in an increasingly AI-driven market.
