Why Indian Techies Are Taking a Crash Course in AI

About Indian Techies

India's tech industry has evolved dramatically over the past few years. Age-old professions are fast disappearing and paving the way for the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Learning. According to a study by International Data Corporation, it is estimated that by the year 2021 sixty percent of India's GDP will be derived from the use of the previously mentioned digital technologies. Going by this statistic, it seems safe to say that Indians need to upskill to stay relevant in the changing economy. Before proceeding further, it is crucial to understand which technical skills can be applied by employees in their jobs to bring measurable improvement in their productivity and the quality of their work.

Lucky for you, we found 5 industries that are expected to facilitate job creation in this digital transformation era. Let's take a look at some of the top domains Indians are upskilling in:

Data and Analytics

As automation wipes out traditional jobs like data entry, it is becoming increasingly evident that building better data management and analytics skills is the way forward. Organisations across India and the world heavily rely on database. The challenge is to be able to study data and identify insights, trends, and changes in user experience.

The solution is to build a reliable data ecosystem which will enable data sharing internally and externally in an open manner. India is currently facing a significant demand-supply gap of data science and analytics professionals. The estimated median annual salary of a data scientist is said to be around INR 25 lakhs.

Machine Learning

With the launch of image and speed recognition and virtual assistant technology, India is slowly moving towards an intuitive tech environment. Self-driving cars and smart homes using AI sensors could be the next big game changers in this field.

Almost every industry is opening up to using AI-based interfaces in their daily operation. According to Gartner, machine learning will create around 2.3 million jobs by 2020. IT and non-IT companies based out of Delhi have hired 29.7% of AI Engineers in India. Tech hubs like Bengaluru and Hyderabad lag behind the national capital, having hired 21.5% and 10.7% AI Engineers respectively. Expertise in programming, robotics, calculus, statistics, and probability can easily land one a role in the AI engineering field with a hefty annual package of INR 20 lakhs.

Cloud Computing

Companies like Amazon, Oracle, and Deloitte are gradually migrating their services to the cloud to manage resources effectively, enhance customer experience, and stay ahead of the competition. The cloud computing skills that are in demand in 2019 are Linux, Java, Amazon Web Services, DevOps, and Software Development.

Cloud-based learning will become an indispensable skill in the years to come. The skills acquired by a cloud architect can come in handy for AI engineers. The former can support the designing and development of robotic systems. The average annual salary for a cloud architect is between INR 18 to 30 lakhs.

Cyber Security

With phishing and IoT-based attacks on the rise like never before, cyber security officers and certified ethical hackers have become an indispensable part of every company. Organisations across India are building a capable team of cyber security experts to minimise the threat posed by cyber attacks.

According to the Information Systems Security Association survey, 14% of cyber security experts report directly to the CEO. But this industry is also facing an acute shortage of skills. There were far more openings for this role than for any other category in 2018. To give you some context, over 36,000 jobs were available in this field. The median annual salary of a cyber security expert lies somewhere between INR 22 to 32 lakhs.

Digital Marketing

Last year, more than 18,000 vacancies were reported in digital marketing. The future of marketing is set to see some major changes, which will require marketers to adapt their skill set to match the upcoming needs.

It is estimated that across India we are likely to see an increase in digital marketing channels, content marketing, and online advertising. The annual salary of a digital project manager lies between INR 15 to 24 lakhs.

The next generation of techies, motivated by the prospect of a promotion, salary hike, and recognition at work are leaving no stone unturned in terms of training themselves in the upcoming technologies. In India, the shift from a generalist career to a specialised professional path has driven multinationals including Sony and Microsoft, to invest in organisational-capability building via training, and research, and development-led innovation. In a brief period of time, these companies have shown significant improvement in cost reductions, productivity, and customer advocacy.

Clearly, the challenge for this country lies in the successful transitioning from a traditional to a revamped digital economy. With cutthroat competition in the tech industry, cultivating a culture that supports the upskilling of the workforce will be the key differentiator.

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