India’s AI ecosystem is facing a stark reality: despite having the second-largest pool of AI talent globally, the country is struggling to meet demand for production-ready skills, particularly in AI deployment, governance, and security roles, according to a recent report by Quess.
Talent gaps in AI deployment, governance, and security
The report highlights a significant shortage of professionals with expertise in AI deployment, a crucial aspect of putting AI models into productive use. This is followed closely by gaps in AI governance and security, which are critical for ensuring the responsible development and deployment of AI systems. These talent gaps not only hinder India’s AI adoption but also pose risks to the country’s economic growth and national security.
Quess, a leading talent and technology solutions provider, analyzed the AI talent landscape in India and identified a disturbing trend. While India has a large pool of AI talent, it is concentrated in specialist areas such as research and development. However, the demand is shifting towards production-ready skills that can drive real-world applications of AI.
GenAI deployment: the biggest deficit
The report found that GenAI deployment, a key aspect of applying large language models to real-world problems, has the widest talent deficit. This is a worrying trend, especially given the growing adoption of AI in various industries such as healthcare, finance, and education. The lack of skilled professionals in AI deployment is making it difficult for organizations to harness the full potential of AI, leading to missed opportunities and inefficiencies.
What this means is that Indian organizations will need to upskill their existing workforce or hire new talent with production-ready skills to stay competitive. This requires a concerted effort from academia, industry, and policymakers to create a more balanced AI talent ecosystem that caters to the needs of the industry. By doing so, India can unlock the true potential of AI and drive its economic growth.
