India's AI Frontier: Building tomorrow's workforce today

India stands at a pivotal moment in the global artificial intelligence revolution. With the national AI market projected to surge to $17 billion by 2027—expanding at a remarkable 25-35% annually—the demand for AI professionals is reaching unprecedented heights. Yet a troubling forecast looms: a potential shortage exceeding one million AI-skilled workers by 2027. This widening gap highlights the critical need for comprehensive workforce development strategies across the nation.

The rapid integration of AI technologies across industries is transforming traditional business models and creating new categories of jobs that require specialised skills. From manufacturing and healthcare to finance and education, AI implementation is no longer optional but essential for organisations aiming to remain competitive in the global marketplace. For India's youth and current workforce, this transformation represents both a challenge and an unprecedented opportunity to establish the country as a global AI powerhouse.

To address this challenge head-on, Microsoft and YourStory are hosting a webinar on ‘Enabling Youth and Workforce of India to Navigate and Build their Career in the AI Economy’. This essential conversation will take place on May 29, 2025, via Zoom, bringing together key stakeholders to craft actionable strategies for AI workforce development.

Featured speakers:

• Paritosh Segal, Co-Founder, NavSahyog Foundation
• Rumi Mallick Mitra, Global Head, Director, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability, EY GDS
• Aditi Jha, Board Director, Head: Legal & Government Affairs, LinkedIn
• Moderated by Gunjan Patel, Director - AI Skills, Skills for Social Impact at Microsoft India

Charting your path in the AI economy

The discussion will explore how AI is fundamentally reshaping career landscapes and what skills will define success in this new paradigm. Attendees will gain valuable insights including:

• Microsoft's Ecosystem Approach: Exploration of how Microsoft is building educational infrastructure to support India's AI workforce development through its AI Skilling Initiative for India.
• Skills Progression Roadmap: Clear guidance on the journey from foundational digital literacy to advanced AI specialisation, including recommended learning paths for different career trajectories.
• Industry Perspective: Insights into how AI implementation is changing hiring practices and skill requirements across key sectors of the Indian economy, with examples of successful career transitions and emerging job roles.

Who will benefit

This essential forum is designed for:

• Students and recent graduates seeking to position themselves advantageously in tomorrow's job market. Gain clarity on which AI skills are most in demand and how to acquire them efficiently while still early in your career journey.
• Early-career professionals looking to pivot into AI-related roles or enhance their existing technical capabilities. Discover transition pathways that leverage your current expertise while developing new competencies in AI application and development.
• Educators and training professionals working to incorporate AI competencies into educational frameworks. Learn effective approaches to teaching AI concepts and how to design curricula that align with industry requirements.

The path forward: India's AI opportunity

The convergence of India's young demographic profile, growing digital infrastructure, and robust technical education system positions the country uniquely to lead in the global AI landscape. However, realising this potential requires coordinated effort across stakeholders to upskill the workforce at an unprecedented scale and pace.

This webinar represents a crucial step in that collaborative journey—bringing together policy vision, industry expertise, and educational innovation to create accessible pathways into AI careers for millions of Indians. The insights shared will help shape individual career strategies while contributing to the broader national conversation on workforce development in the AI era.

Secure your participation

Join this crucial conversation on May 29, 2025 via Zoom broadcast. Don't miss this opportunity to gain strategic insights from leaders shaping India's AI future and take concrete steps toward positioning yourself in this high-growth field. Your participation contributes to the collective knowledge needed to bridge India's AI skills gap and unlock the full potential of our technological talent.