Mid-career professionals driving AI adoption in Indian workplaces: Indeed's Work Ahead report
The survey of over 3,000 professionals, both white- and blue-collar workers across India, revealed that 43 per cent feel confident about the technologies they expect to use in two to five years, mainly generative AI and agentic AI. According to the survey, many see AI not just as a productivity tool but as a skill that could give them access to higher pay, promotions, and even new career opportunities.
'There's a determined confidence building across India's workforce. Mid-career professionals, in particular, are not only using AI but also actively seeking upskilling opportunities to master it. The rise in interest around agentic AI signals that we are at the beginning of a transformation, one where job seekers are not just responding to change but leading it,' Sashi Kumar, head of sales at Indeed India, said.
The survey was conducted by Censuswide in May 2025 across 12 industries to highlight how India's workforce is getting ready for an AI-driven future. Even though 43 per cent feel confident about AI technologies, nearly one-third worry about job security in case they fail to keep up with the rapid changes.
Mid-career workers at the forefront
Digital adoption is usually expected to be driven by young workers; the Indeed report claims the opposite. Mid-career professionals aged between 35 and 54 are currently leading the AI upskilling movement. About half (49 per cent) of the respondents said that they feel confident with AI-integrated workplaces, compared to 36 per cent of those aged between 18 and 24. Besides, 56 per cent of mid-career workers are actively seeking more training, largely outpacing their younger counterparts, 41 per cent of whom expressed similar interest.
As many as 42 per cent want to advance their careers, 39 per cent want to stay updated with emerging technologies, and 38 per cent want to boost efficiency at work. For most of the respondents, upskilling with AI is to ensure long-term relevance in their careers
AI as a workplace essential
According to the report, AI is evidently no longer an option in the Indian workplace. While one in three expects to use generative AI frequently in the next few years, one in four is working towards adopting agentic AI. Just like email, cloud storage, and other learning platforms, AI tools have become a workplace essential.
The adoption of AI is moving beyond the confines of white-collar jobs. Two in 10 blue-collar workers are using generative AI in tasks like streamlining paperwork, managing workflows, improving customer interactions, etc. Additionally, 72 per cent of blue-collar workers admit that technology is helpful in their roles, indicating a boost in confidence across sectors.
What do employees want from employers?
Even though professionals are showing a growing appetite for upskilling, there are barriers abound. Four out of 10 workers cited lack of learning time, while 33 per cent highlighted insufficient hands-on support, 26 per cent admitted fear of making mistakes, and 24 per cent claimed difficulty in accessing training resources.
According to the report, to overcome these hurdles, employees want user-friendly and well-documented tools (32 per cent), dedicated learning time during working hours (31 per cent), low-pressure environments to experiment in (30 per cent), and self-paced online training options (29 per cent).
Further, the report also highlights the unequal access to formal training. About 90 per cent of workers feel competent using workplace technologies, but only 38 per cent of blue-collar professionals reported receiving training from their companies. Many of them rely on colleagues for direction or grapple with non-intuitive tools.
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