Top Indian IT Firms Train Over 775,000 Employees in Generative AI Skills
In a significant move, three leading Indian IT firms—Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), Infosys, and Wipro—collectively trained over 775,000 employees in generative AI (GenAI) skills by the end of 2023-24, according to an analysis of GenAI-trained workforce of leading companies in India in this sector.
TCS Emerges as Industry Leader
TCS took the lead, training around 300,000 employees in GenAI skills. Milind Lakkad, chief human resources officer at TCS, emphasized the importance of GenAI as the “fabric of the company,” stating that every employee is provided with foundational skills and expertise in the field.
Infosys and Wipro Follow Suit
Infosys is ranked second, having trained 250,000 employees in GenAI, while Wipro follows closely with over 225,000 employees trained in AI fundamentals and the responsible use of AI. Wipro’s training program includes fundamentals, foundational, associate, and advanced levels, with over 195,000 employees trained in basic GenAI fundamentals.
Rising Demand Drives AI Skills Training
The focus on skilling is fueled by the increasing demand for GenAI services. While it has not yet made a significant revenue contribution, GenAI has become a priority for clients, as evidenced by the size of recent deals. TCS reported GenAI deals worth $900 million during its Q4FY24 results, and Accenture’s total contract value in GenAI reached $1.1 billion.
India’s AI Skills Gap
While India’s IT firms are making significant strides in AI training, a recent report highlights the shortage of senior AI engineers in the country. According to specialist staffing firm Xpheno, there are less than 2,000 senior engineers in India who can build core AI products. This shortage is a concern as tech giants like Google and Microsoft are looking to India for AI expertise.
Call for Industry-Specific Skilling
Experts in the field emphasize that AI skilling should not be limited to engineering and building core technology. Jagdish Mitra, a tech veteran and board member of the National Skill Development Corporation, stresses the importance of process-specific, application-specific, and industry-specific AI skills that can make a tangible difference in how AI is used.
Conclusion
The training of over 775,000 employees in GenAI skills by India’s leading IT firms is a significant achievement that demonstrates their commitment to innovation. However, the industry faces a skills gap in senior AI engineers, highlighting the need for industry-specific skilling to meet the growing demand for AI-based solutions.