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Economic Times
27-04-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
India grappling with a dearth of agentic AI experts
TIL Creatives I observe an agentic AI surgical robot collaborating with a human doctor in a futuristic medical bay during a minimally invasive procedure. India is facing a severe shortage of agentic AI professionals, as companies move beyond basic chatbots to develop intelligent agents that can solve complex business problems and support are currently fewer than 100,000 such professionals in the country, while demand is projected to double to around 200,000 by 2026, according to executives from leading consulting, research and recruitment services firms including BCG, Everest Group, TeamLease, and Adecco. Agentic AI refers to artificial intelligence systems that can autonomously make decisions, take actions and adapt to changing in this field include developers who build the code base, architects who design the AI frameworks, program engineering managers who integrate and deliver solutions as software, and testers to ensure system performance.'Agentic AI can enable tech companies to deliver higher value through a 'service as a software' shift from 'software as a service',' said Ankush Wadhera, managing director and partner of BCG. These agents can enable firms to develop vertical-specific solutions, he added. At present, only about 40% of the demand for agentic AI talent is being met in the country, according to Karthikeyan Kesavan, director of permanent recruitment at Adecco India. AI architects are the most difficult to get now, he added. The talent crunch is driving up agentic AI expert with 2-5 years of experience commands an average salary of Rs 25 lakh per annum compared to a similarly experienced regular developer's salary of Rs 8 lakh and an AI expert's salary of Rs 13 lakh, experts said.'At mid-senior level, salaries for these roles range from Rs 80 lakh to Rs 2 crore,' said Pranshu Upadhyay, regional director and head of India technology practice at recruitment services firm Michael 10–15% of the 650,000 AI professionals in the country have the needed expertise in agentic AI while their demand could reach 150,000-200,000 next year, according to a TeamLease research. The demand will be 'driven by GCCs, IT firms and startups,' Neeti Sharma, CEO of TeamLease Digital, told ET. Yugal Joshi, partner at research firm Everest Group, said there is a surge in hiring across Big Tech, startups, consulting firms, and IT services providers. Many companies are piloting or deploying agents in the next 1–2 years, he said. Titles like agentic AI architect and AI agent engineer are emerging, Joshi said. 'However, most professionals currently working on AI agents hold broader AI/ML roles, such as AI engineer, AI architect, etc,' he booming demand is powered by a larger industry shift from simple automation to AI agents that can independently execute tasks, and a surge in investments in agentic capabilities across to industry body Nasscom, the market for AI agents is projected to grow to $47.1 billion in 2030 from $5.1 billion in 2024. High-growth segments include autonomous vehicles, smart manufacturing, and healthcare, where agentic AI systems can help drive innovation. 'There are conversations around agentic AI building up in India, and companies are keen to understand how the talent landscape is evolving in this space,' said Upadhyay of Michael Page.
Zawya
28-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
India: Strong hiring demand in EV, AI and engineering sectors infuses salary hikes expectations of 20-40%
New Delhi: As India's job market continues to evolve, employees are now seeking salary hikes of 20-40 per cent, particularly in high-growth sectors like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Electric Vehicles (EV), and engineering, according to a recent report by Adecco India. This rise in salary expectations reflects the growing demand for specialized skills in these areas, as per the report. The report highlights a strong hiring demand for niche roles in sectors such as Electric Vehicles (EV), Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG), digital transformation, and cloud computing. These fields are driving much of the recruitment activity, as businesses prioritize expertise in cutting-edge technologies and sustainability initiatives. Conversely, industries like banking, financial services, and IT have managed to achieve greater salary stability despite the fluctuating job market. The report underscores a shift in workforce expectations, with employees now seeking more than just financial compensation. Instead, priorities have expanded to include meaningful work, career development, and flexible working conditions. The increasing role of AI is also transforming the workplace. Far from being viewed as a threat, AI is increasingly seen as a growth enabler, leading to significant investments in upskilling and workforce transformation. Companies are focusing on building technical expertise, with an emphasis on AI-powered learning platforms, certifications, executive coaching, and leadership training. The demand for skills in ESG, automation, and machine learning is rapidly rising as businesses adapt to India's changing economic landscape. Notably, India is one of the leading AI adopters in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, with 42 per cent of businesses already integrating AI solutions into their operations. Cloud computing and AI-powered automation are reshaping traditional job roles, creating new career opportunities, and emphasizing the importance of adaptive skill development. Organizations now view AI as a productivity enhancer rather than a job-eliminating force, further reinforcing the need for employees to stay ahead of technological advancements and continue building relevant skills. In summary, as India's workforce adjusts to new expectations and technological transformations, businesses must prioritize upskilling initiatives and flexible work environments to remain competitive in an increasingly dynamic job market. Karthikeyan Kesavan, Director & Head of Permanent Recruitment, Adecco India, emphasised the importance of adapting to the evolving job market, stating, "As businesses navigate a rapidly changing talent landscape, strategic hiring and skills-focused compensation structures are more critical than ever. "The demand for AI, cybersecurity, and cloud expertise continues to surge, making it essential for companies to offer competitive salary packages and upskilling opportunities to attract and retain top talent," he added. © Muscat Media Group Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
