Nearly 94% of the Indian workforce believes mastering AI will accelerate their career growth. Indian professionals are leading the global AI adoption curve, with 96% using AI tools at work
As artificial intelligence takes centre-stage in everyone’s professional lives across the world, nearly 94% of Indian workforce believes that mastering AI skills will accelerate their career growth, according to the 2025 Global Workplace Skills study conducted by Emeritus.
The study revealed that Indian professionals are leading the global AI adoption curve, with 96% of them are already using AI and generative AI tools at work --- higher that 81% in the United States and 84% in the United kingdom. Of 96% Indian professionals, around 95% reported increase in productivity due to these technologies.
“The workforce needs to keep up with the time and evolve their approach to work with new skills, mindsets and competencies. India’s workforce is not only adapting to AI but actively harnessing it to shape the future of work,” said Ashwin Damera, CEO and cofounder of Emeritus.
The survey also stated that 90% of 6,000 respondents consider AI and generative AI important for future career success. In addition, 94% of them view AI expertise as essential not only for career advancement but also for diversifying across industries.
It highlighted four critical trends in how Indian learners perceive and use AI ---- higher AI adoption in India, AI/Gen AI skills as a top priority, AI’s transformative impact on workplaces, and concerns about AI-driven displacement. Even, 73% of employers increased their investment in training over the past year.
In her Budget 2025 speech on February 1, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced the setting up of three Centre for Excellence (CoE) in AI for education with an outlay of Rs 500 crore for agriculture, healthcare, and sustainable cities.
The Economic Survey has also talked about collaboration between institutes for proper implementation of AI. It says, “Policymakers must balance innovation with societal costs, as AI driven shifts in the labour market could have lasting effects. Similarly, the corporate sector must act responsibly, handling the introduction of AI with sensitivity to India’s needs.”
The survey tabled on January 31, indicates that a “collaborative effort between government, private sector, and academia is essential minimise the adverse societal effects of AI-driven transformation and deliver inclusive growth.”
The Indian government has been aggressively pushing for AI investment. In March 2024, the government approved Rs 10,372 crore for The IndiaAI Mission. The five year mission intends to build a comprehensive AI system by expanding computing access, enhancing data quality, and advancing indigenous AI capabilities.