India's AI Talent Gap in the Limelight on World Youth Skills Day 2025: Industry Expert Highlights Upcoming Alteration in Workforce Skill Requirements
The 10th anniversary of World Youth Skills Day (WYSD) was themed "Empowering Youth through AI and Digital Skills," highlighting the growing importance of these skills in today's job market. As AI and digitalization continue to transform various sectors, several skills are now in high demand, such as AI and Machine Learning (ML), computer vision, cybersecurity, and general skills like analytical thinking, creativity, resilience, and lifelong learning.
To address the skill shortages in cybersecurity, particularly in India, several strategies have been proposed. These include developing AI literacy, upskilling and reskilling, implementing unified security approaches, fostering a mindset of experimentation, and making cybersecurity a national priority. Educational initiatives such as specialized programs, collaboration with industry, and integrating AI into school curricula are also being considered to ensure every young person can thrive in a tech-driven world.
Many start-ups are now looking for employees proficient in AI-related skills, and Noopur Julka, Senior Director at UST, emphasised that a mindset geared towards experimentation and upgrading from foundational principles to business applications is the key to success in the tech industry. According to the World Economic Forum, approximately 63% of India's workforce, over 70 million people, will require upskilling or reskilling by 2030.
The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs 2025 report predicts the sharpest net rise in demand for AI and big data skills by 2030. Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) has significantly impacted corporate culture, and its demand is expected to grow further. Empowering youth can help unlock pathways to employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation, according to Mukherjee.
However, UNESCO warns that women and marginalized groups remain significantly under-represented in AI-related fields. Bensely Zachariah, Global Head of HR at Fulcrum Digital, highlighted that many young Indians, especially from Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities and marginalized communities, are still underserved and under-prepared for the digital economy.
Satish Shukla, Co-founder of Addverb, stated that nearly 40% of workers' core skills are expected to change by 2030. Fortinet's 2024 Global Cybersecurity Skills Gap Report finds that 92% of Indian organisations suffered breaches in the previous year, many due to a shortage of skilled talent. As of now, the skill shortfall is acute in the cybersecurity industry.
Industry leaders like Shantanu Rooj, Founder and CEO of TeamLease Edtech, and Juveri Mukherjee, Global Head of HR at Aurionpro Solutions, believe that empowering youth is a collective responsibility across industry, academia, and government. Sunil Sharma, Vice-President of Sales (India & SAARC), Sophos, emphasised the urgent need to equip young people for an evolving economy, particularly in the face of growing cyber-threats.
Despite the challenges, there is optimism about government programs like Skill India, PMKVY 4.0, and NPAI, as well as on-the-ground efforts such as Skill Olympics and AI bootcamps, in bringing AI learning to youth across urban and rural India. The ChatGPT was launched in 2022, and nearly 4.8 million cybersecurity roles remained unfilled globally in 2023-24. The future of the tech industry depends on equipping the next generation with the skills they need to succeed, and India is taking steps to ensure its youth are ready for the challenges ahead.
- An entrepreneur aiming to scale their business might prioritize hiring employees with AI-related skills, like Noopur Julka, the Senior Director at UST, suggests, as the demand for such expertise is predicted to grow further.
- The World Economic Forum's report predicts a significant increase in demand for AI and big data skills by 2030, making investment in education and self-development in these areas crucial for personal growth and future employment prospects.
- Empowering youth through education and creating opportunities for learning about AI, Machine Learning, and other digital skills is considered vital to foster innovation and scalable business ideas in today's technological landscape.
- Given the plan to skill up the population to meet the demands of the tech-driven economy, government programs such as Skill India, PMKVY 4.0, and NPAI, and on-the-ground initiatives like Skill Olympics and AI bootcamps, have become essential to provide the necessary funding and resources for learning.
- As the demand for AI literacy increases, industry leaders acknowledge the collective responsibility of governments, academic institutions, and industry partners to invest in education and self-development opportunities, ensuring a workforce prepared for the challenges ahead and fostering a new generation of tech-savvy individuals.
