India turns into one of the world’s largest pools for AI talent
According to a report, despite accounting for a meagre 1% of the global AI market, the country produces 16% of the world’s AI talent pool—the third highest in the world
prativad 
India has turned into one of the world’s largest pools for artificial intelligence talent, even as adoption of AI grows at a slow pace in the country.
According to a report by Microsoft, consultancy firm Bain & Company, and industry body Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), despite accounting for a meagre 1% of the global AI market, the country produces 16% of the world’s AI talent pool—the third highest in the world.
In India, demand for AI talent comes on the back of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) that seek AI contractors, and large organizations that are in search of AI and machine learning talent for digital transformation.
However, despite the country being a major hub for AI talent globally, the gap in demand and supply for AI-educated employees is wider than ever.
This was highlighted in another report published on 23 June by industry body National Association of Software and Services Companies (Nasscom), which noted that while demand outpaced supply of AI talent in India by around 14% in 2018, the gap widened to 33% last year.
Yet, even though AI adoption in India has grown at a steady pace over the past one year, it still remains an early-stage market.
Nasscom’s report stated that even the advanced adopters of AI and automation services across Indian enterprises are at early stages—i.e. they are acquiring AI services from technology companies and deploying across departments for operational efficiencies, and not innovating to build their own services on top of AI platforms.
