As artificial intelligence becomes a bigger part of the technology industry, the Indian government has asked IT companies to focus on training employees for new opportunities rather than worrying about jobs being replaced.
The message came during a consultation organised by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) in Kochi, where government officials and industry executives discussed how AI is changing the country’s technology services sector.
The meeting was chaired by MeitY Secretary S. Krishnan, who said the growing use of AI will require a large pool of skilled professionals. According to him, India is well placed to meet that demand if businesses continue investing in employee training and technology development.
During the discussion, industry leaders noted that clients are no longer looking only for traditional outsourcing services. Instead, companies increasingly want technology partners that can help them adopt AI, automate operations, analyse data, and modernise their digital systems.
To keep pace with these changes, IT and Business Process Management (BPM) firms are building new AI-powered tools and services while expanding their capabilities in cloud computing, automation, analytics, and enterprise software.
Participants also pointed out that demand is rising for professionals who understand both technology and industry-specific challenges. Areas such as banking, healthcare, manufacturing, and retail are expected to see increased adoption of AI-based solutions in the coming years.
A large part of the conversation focused on workforce development. With nearly six million people employed across India’s IT and BPM sector, industry representatives stressed the importance of helping workers learn new skills as technology continues to evolve.
The consultation also looked at ways to encourage innovation and support the growth of technology businesses beyond major metropolitan cities. Expanding operations into emerging locations could create new employment opportunities and help spread the benefits of the digital economy more evenly across the country.
The discussions are aligned with the government’s IndiaAI Mission, which aims to strengthen India’s AI ecosystem through investments in infrastructure, startups, research, applications, and skill development. Officials believe these efforts can help India strengthen its position as a leading technology and talent hub in the years ahead.
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