Artificial Intelligence (AI) is steadily becoming a cornerstone of India’s evolving workforce, as professionals across industries increasingly view it as both a career booster and a powerful productivity tool. According to a workforce survey conducted by hiring platform Indeed in May 2025, a large segment of Indian employees is actively preparing to adapt to technologies like generative AI and agentic AI over the next two to five years.
The study, which gathered responses from 3,001 professionals spanning 12 industries, revealed that 43% of participants feel confident in adapting to AI-driven changes. Mid-career employees, particularly those between 35 and 54 years old, emerged as the most optimistic group, with nearly half—49%—expressing readiness to embrace the shifts brought by AI. Interestingly, this demographic also appears to be the most proactive about learning new skills. About 56% of them are actively pursuing training opportunities, compared to 41% of younger professionals. Their motivations include career advancement, staying current with technological changes, and improving everyday efficiency.
AI’s influence is not limited to technology-heavy roles. Increasingly, blue-collar workers are also embracing AI, with nearly 70% of those surveyed acknowledging its usefulness in their work. Many are already tapping into generative AI for tasks such as handling paperwork and assisting with customer service. Despite this growing adoption, employees are seeking structured support from employers. About 29% prefer self-paced digital learning modules, while others hope for dedicated upskilling time during working hours.
Yet, this shift does not come without challenges. The survey cites a Goldman Sachs analysis that warns of potential global unemployment rising by 0.5% during the AI transition. Jobs like programming, accounting, and customer service may be particularly exposed to automation risks.
Despite these concerns, optimism remains high across industries. Experts suggest that professionals who successfully acquire AI skills could unlock greater opportunities, ranging from higher salaries and promotions to entirely new career paths in an AI-integrated economy. For many Indian workers, upskilling has moved from being an option to becoming an essential step in navigating the future of work.
