Over 2 million AI jobs up for grabs in India by 2027...but there's a serious problem
“India has a unique opportunity to position itself as a global AI talent hub. However, by 2027, the job openings in AI are expected to be 1.5–2x of the talent availability. The challenge—and opportunity—lies in reskilling and upskilling a significant portion of the existing talent base on emerging technology tools and skillsets,” said Saikat Banerjee, Partner and leader in Bain & Company’s AI, Insights, and Solutions practice in India.
He added, “The AI talent shortage is a significant challenge, but not invincible. Addressing it requires a fundamental shift in how businesses attract, develop, and retain AI talent. Companies need to move beyond traditional hiring approaches, prioritize continuous upskilling, and foster an innovation-driven ecosystem.”
The Bain study shows that AI-related job postings have increased by 21% every year since 2019, while salaries for AI roles have grown at an annual rate of 11%. Despite this growth, the number of skilled professionals has not kept up with demand, creating a talent gap that is affecting AI adoption across industries.
Sarah Elk, Americas head of AI, Insights, and Solutions at Bain & Company, said, “AI is at the forefront of corporate transformation, but without the right talent, businesses will struggle to move from ambition to implementation. Executives see the growing AI talent gap as a major roadblock to innovation, limiting businesses’ ability to scale and compete in an AI-driven world. Companies navigating this increasingly competitive hiring landscape need to