India's Rising AI Talent Hub: Bridging the Global Skill Gap
The year 2023 has been marked by the prominence of artificial intelligence (AI), tech giants” pursuit of AI, and the ensuing race to secure talent. This surge in demand, coupled with the shortage of skilled professionals, has created a significant void in the global tech landscape. India appears prepared to offer a solution to this talent crisis.
India, home to 16% of the world”s AI talent pool according to Nasscom”s State of Data Science and AI Skills report, is second only to China in this regard. However, despite this substantial pool, a shortage of 213,000 skilled AI resources persists. India”s robust annual supply of STEM graduates, totalling 2.25 million, could potentially bridge this gap with upskilling and proper training.
Experts, government officials, and industry leaders share a bullish sentiment about India”s potential to become a major source of skilled AI talent. Abhishek Singh, CEO of the National eGovernance Division, envisions India as a significant supplier of AI talent to global tech giants. India”s top ranking in global AI talent underscores its capabilities, particularly in AI contributions on platforms like GitHub and AI talent penetration.
Rituparna Chakraborty, co-founder of TeamLease Services, highlights India”s role as a predominant source of global tech talent, emphasising its dominance in IT offshore work and business processing. This positions India well to meet the rising demand for AI roles as automation continues to reshape various industries.
The shift towards AI is reflected in the rise of AI-focused job openings, with data indicating a growing demand for AI professionals in India. However, despite a slowdown in hiring in other tech sectors, the demand for AI talent remains strong. Upskilling initiatives from industry giants like TCS, Wipro, HCLTech, and Tech Mahindra are further evidence of the drive to equip professionals for AI roles.
Nasscom”s FutureSkills Prime Platform, in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), is paving the way for upskilling in AI and Emerging Technologies. With over 1.4 million registered users, the platform offers short-term and graduate-level courses in AI, cybersecurity, and more.
While the global AI talent shortage remains a challenge, India is well-positioned to play a role in addressing it. With its growing pool of skilled graduates and a proactive approach to upskilling, India is going to emerge as a significant AI talent hub that can cater to both local and global needs. India”s burgeoning AI talent pool and its proactive efforts to upskill professionals hold the promise of closing the global AI skill gap, positioning the nation as a strong force in the AI-driven future.
