The whispers have grown into roars – will artificial intelligence come for the job? This question worries newcomers and veterans alike.
From warnings of widespread displacement to optimistic predictions of new opportunities, stories about how AI will impact the workforce are taking the job outlook by storm.
On World AI Day, July 16, Indian job portal Naukri.com released a study that busts the assumption that AI is more of a friend than an enemy for Indian job seekers. The research is based on responses from more than 60,000 job seekers, a poll of recruiters, and an analysis of thousands of job postings.
In contrast to global fears, with 75% of US professionals worried about job losses due to AI and almost two out of three people globally worried about replacement, India presents a contrasting reality. Around 86% of job seekers in India consider AI to be an ally, while 13% of recruiters believe it will cause job losses.
Breaking the AI myths: India’s reality
The report says it’s a myth that AI jobs don’t pay well, as AI skills can increase salaries by more than 53% for all roles, with double-digit raises expected at all experience levels.
The report also claims that over 35,000 AI and Machine Learning jobs are available on Naukri.com across India from April to June 2025, so it could be a myth that there are not enough real AI jobs.
Also, it may be a myth that AI jobs are only available in metros as tier 2 cities like Indore, Coimbatore, Kochi and Ahmedabad have collectively posted over 1,500 AI jobs during the same period.
Finally, the myth that unemployment is the biggest problem with AI is balanced out by the report’s finding that only one in three people fear losing their jobs to AI. A bigger concern for over 35% of people is fear of a lack of creativity.
The Great Reorganization: Roles on the rise and roles at risk
AI will not completely eliminate jobs. It’s about rearranging the landscape. Data from Naukri reveals that AI/ML jobs grew by 38% year-over-year from April-June 2024 to April-June 2025.
Some traditional roles are in decline. For example, the role of front-end developers could be reduced by 14%, and the needs of system administrators could be reduced by 11%. But new AI-focused jobs are mushrooming, with jobs like machine learning engineers, search engineers, and data scientists seeing an almost 100% jump.
Where are AI jobs coming from and what are recruiters looking for?
Although the IT sector leads in AI/ML employment share, AI adoption is permeating various industries such as accounting, knowledge process outsourcing, and banking. The business process outsourcing sector recorded an impressive 39% year-on-year increase in AI employment from April to June 2025, despite concerns about job losses.
Recruiters are actively seeking professionals with a blend of analytical and critical thinking, problem-solving skills, creativity, adaptability, and a desire to continuously learn.
Advantages of AI: Experience pays off
The benefits of AI are uneven. Experienced professionals with AI skills are particularly sought after. While overall AI-based roles increased by 38%, the growth in AI/ML roles was a staggering 46% for employees with 13-16 years of experience and 44% for employees with 16+ years of experience.
This is in sharp contrast to non-AI-based tech jobs, which saw an overall growth rate of just 8%. This data demonstrates the value of combining deep industry experience with cutting-edge AI capabilities.
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