India’s AI talent shortage threatens growth, Amazon warns

NEW DELHI, INDIA — A new Amazon Web Services (AWS) study reveals a crippling shortage of artificial intelligence (AI) talent in India, despite the country’s ambitions to become an AI powerhouse by 2028.
The report, titled “Accelerating AI Skills: Preparing the Asia-Pacific Workforce for Jobs of the Future,” found that 96% of Indian employers consider hiring AI-skilled workers a top priority, yet 79% struggle to find qualified candidates.
Employers expect AI to boost organizational productivity by 68%, but 91% don’t know how to implement AI workforce training programs. Meanwhile, 86% of workers are unsure which career paths require AI expertise.
“From financial services to construction and retail, industries are embracing AI at a rapid pace, which is why an AI-skilled workforce is essential to unleashing a culture of innovation and driving productivity in India, aligning with the government of India’s IndiaAI Mission,” said Amit Mehta, Head of AWS Training and Certification, AWS India.
The study predicts AI-proficient Indian workers could see salary hikes exceeding 54%, with IT (65%) and research and development (62%) roles commanding the highest premiums.
Employees are eager to upskill, with 95% of all generations, including 90% of baby boomers, interested in AI training.
Generative AI tools are expected to transform Indian workplaces within five years, with 98% of employers and employees anticipating their use. Top benefits include increased creativity (73%), improved outcomes (69%), and task automation (68%).
“The future of work demands a workforce equipped with AI proficiency to navigate emerging challenges and harness opportunities for sustainable and equitable economic growth and development as well as inclusive innovation,” said Rupa Chanda, Director of Trade, Investment and Innovation Division, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).