AI Skills Could Boost Salaries by 54% in India — New Study

A recent study by AWS and Access Partnership reveals that in India, workers possessing AI skills could potentially experience salary increases of up to 54%, particularly in fields like IT (65%) and research and development (62%). The study surveyed over 1,600 workers and 500 employers in India to understand AI usage trends and skilling needs in workplaces.

The research indicates a strong positive outlook among Indian workers regarding the impact of AI skills on their careers, with 97% expecting beneficial outcomes such as increased job efficiency and career advancement. 

There is a keen interest across different age groups in acquiring AI skills, with 95% of Gen Z, 96% of Millennials, 93% of Gen X, and even 90% of baby boomers expressing a desire for AI upskilling opportunities.

Key highlights of the report

Around 93% of employers and 90% of workers in the APAC region expect to use generative AI tools within the next five years. Workers across different technical levels anticipate its adoption, with significant interest from both tech-specialist and non-tech workers.

Acquiring AI skills could lead to salary increases and career advancement opportunities, with 93% of APAC workers anticipating a positive impact on their careers. Employers estimate potential pay jumps of over 33%, particularly in departments like IT and research and development.

Interest in AI skills transcends generations, with a majority of workers expressing willingness to enroll in AI upskilling courses.

The productivity benefits of an AI-skilled workforce are significant, with employers believing AI integration could boost productivity by 51% through task automation. Employees also expect AI to enhance their task efficiency by 50%, with a substantial portion anticipating extensive use of AI in their daily work by 2028.

By 2028, most organizations in the APAC region are expected to use AI-related solutions, with over 92% of surveyed employers anticipating their implementation. Industries like IT and telecommunication lead this trend, with 97% of employers expecting AI integration within five years, followed closely by financial services and public sectors. 

Employers anticipate benefits from AI across departments, with IT expected to see the most benefit. Additionally, departments such as human resources and business operations are expected to gain value through automation, workflow improvement, and better communication.

However, there still exists a gap in AI skills and training awareness in the APAC region. While AI development is prioritized as a crucial skill set for job candidates, there's a shortage of AI talent, with 79% of employers struggling to hire skilled professionals. 

Additionally, there's a lack of awareness among employers regarding AI workforce training programs, with 79% admitting uncertainty in implementation. Workers also face challenges in accessing available AI training programs, indicating a need for greater awareness and accessibility.

To address these challenges, greater collaboration between governments, industries, and educators is deemed essential to implement AI training programs effectively and guide workers in aligning their AI skill sets with suitable roles.