India's tech sector faces 53-60% talent gap in GenAI, cloud: Report

India's tech industry is grappling with a substantial talent gap in Generative AI and cloud computing, as revealed by a recent report by TeamLease Digital. The study found that around 53-60% of jobs in these fields are unfilled due to a shortage of AI-ready professionals. Despite the technology sector's rapid growth, the supply of skilled workers has not kept pace with demand. Only about 16% of IT professionals possess AI skills, highlighting the significant gap.

The report indicates that cloud computing has the widest talent shortage, ranging from 55-60%, while Generative AI skills are in demand for approximately 53 lakh roles by 2026. Cybersecurity skills are also in demand but to a lesser extent, with a 25-30% shortage. As AI takes over routine tasks, the demand for AI-skilled professionals is expected to grow significantly, with GenAI Developers earning up to Rs 34.5 LPA after six years and Data Engineers reaching Rs 29.6 LPA at the same stage.

TeamLease Digital CEO Neeti Sharma emphasized that AI-skilled professionals fall into three tiers: AI-Core, AI-Adjacent, and AI-Support. While technical expertise is crucial, the premium lies in the ability to build, run, and govern AI in production. Human skills, such as creativity and adaptability, also play a vital role, especially as nearly 39% of core skills are projected to change by 2030.

The report underscores the importance of human judgment and leadership in the AI era, as technical depth alone may not suffice to meet the evolving demands.