Demand for AI Professionals in India to Spike to 1 Million by 2026: MeitY Report

India is expected to witness a sharp rise in the demand for artificial intelligence (AI) professionals, with nearly one million skilled experts needed by 2026, according to a recent government report titled India’s AI Revolution: A Roadmap to Viksit Bharat, released by the Ministry of Electronics & IT. This surge comes as India aims to become a $23-35 trillion economy by 2047, with AI playing a key role in shaping future industries and jobs.

To meet this demand, engineering education in India is evolving quickly. As per the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the number of B.Tech seats for 2024-25 has grown to 14.9 lakh—a 16% rise in four years. A major contributor to this growth is the rising popularity of Computer Science and emerging tech fields like AI/ML, Data Science, Cybersecurity, Cloud Computing, and Blockchain.

The focus now is on creating engineers who are not only technically strong but also adaptable and innovative. This has led to a shift from STEM to STEAM education, which includes Arts and Humanities to improve communication, design thinking, and problem-solving skills.

Several institutions are aligning with this new trend. Symbiosis International University recently launched the Symbiosis Artificial Intelligence Institute (SAII), dedicated to AI-driven education and research. SAII offers programs combining solid theoretical knowledge with real-world applications from the start.

Similarly, SRM Institute of Science and Technology is offering interdisciplinary programs in Medical Engineering, Biotechnology, AI-ML Embedded Systems, and more, supported by strong ties with industry.

India Skills Report 2024 by Wheebox revealed that India’s AI industry is set to touch $28.8 billion by 2025, growing at a 45% annual rate. The country is now one of the world’s fastest-growing AI talent hubs, signaling a transformative era for the Indian workforce.

Source: Financial Express