Machine learning and Python are highly sought after in the IT industry for Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) roles in India. Despite a slowdown in the broader IT sector, these specialized skills are crucial for developing advanced AI solutions, say experts.
According to Indeed, about 42% of Gen AI jobs in India require machine learning skills, and 40% list Python as essential. Companies like IBM, Coforge, L&T Technology Services, and Happiest Minds are actively recruiting professionals with expertise in machine learning, data science, and cloud engineering.
### Rising Importance of AI Skills Other in-demand skills include natural language processing (20%), TensorFlow (19%), and core AI competencies. The AI market in India is projected to grow exponentially, with Nasscom and BCG forecasting a CAGR of 25-35% to reach $17 billion by 2027.
Lakshmi Mittra from Clover Infotech emphasizes the need for professionals with at least five to six years of experience in AI, combining technical knowledge and business application skills. IBM’s Thirukkumaran Nagarajan highlights the growing demand for roles like Experience Designers, Agile Coaches, and Automation Architects, driven by the need for responsible AI.
### AI Roles and Recruitment Trends L&T Technology Services plans to hire over 1,000 engineers this fiscal year, focusing on AI architects. Happiest Minds Technologies is recruiting for roles such as .Net Azure engineers, Cloud Architects, and Data Scientists. The demand for prompt engineers and AI scientists is also increasing, with companies like Coforge seeking to enhance their AI capabilities.
Practical experience and domain understanding are critical for AI roles. Companies prefer candidates with strong academic backgrounds and relevant project experience for entry-level positions, while mid-level and senior roles require 3-7 years of hands-on experience in AI solution development and deployment.
### Impact on Business Processes Gen AI integration has already shown significant improvements in productivity and customer experience in the BPO/BPM industry. WNS Global reports a 30-40% improvement in customer experience and a 25-40% increase in productivity by merging Gen AI with proprietary AI/ML models tailored to industry-specific challenges.
While traditional IT skills remain in demand, the focus on AI capabilities continues to grow as companies strive to harness AI’s full potential.
