India Inc taps old IITs for AI roles as placements near

New Delhi: Eight Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) are experiencing a surge in pre-placement offers and heightened demand for artificial intelligence (AI) and AI-related roles, although some experts express caution about recruiting new graduates ahead of their final placement season, which commences on December 1. The rapid integration of AI into various sectors is altering entry-level hiring, according to campus representatives and corporate leaders.

Companies are reducing traditional entry-level positions, but fresh opportunities in AI, data, analytics, and tech-driven functions are rapidly expanding. A placement official from one of the old IITs, speaking anonymously, mentioned that it will take one or two years for universities to determine the necessary new competencies.

The seven old IITs are located in Kharagpur, Bombay, Madras, Kanpur, Delhi, Guwahati, and Roorkee. IIT Guwahati is witnessing an increase in roles involving applied AI and AI-assisted technology, while traditional software and services hiring is declining, according to John Jose, head of the institute's Centre for Career Development.

New roles, such as those not available last year, are emerging, and students with stronger AI skills may have an advantage. AI skills are becoming increasingly essential, not just for dedicated AI and machine learning positions, but also in software, analytics, finance, and even core engineering, stated Manjesh K. Singh, chairperson of the placement committee at IIT Kanpur.

Companies, including AI-focused firms, banking and financial services, and quantitative trading entities, are anticipated to be key recruiters at IIT Kanpur. IIT Kharagpur anticipates hiring across technology, software, AI and data, finance, semiconductors, core engineering, and emerging technology sectors. The institute has enhanced its academic landscape in emerging areas, such as introducing a four-year B Tech program in AI, along with programs and specialisations in areas like AI and machine learning.

The placement ecosystem encompasses a mix of emerging AI/data-driven opportunities and ongoing demand for robust foundational areas in core engineering, quantitative, financial, and managerial domains, explained Sanjay Gupta, dean of IIT Kharagpur's career development centre. Startups are also likely to gain more traction, with young, rapidly growing companies in technology, AI, fintech, and deep-tech expected to recruit.

Many of these startups are Indian, which is seen as particularly encouraging by IIT Kanpur's Singh. Most institutions have observed a rise in internships, which are increasingly converting into pre-placement offers (PPOs). Companies are relying more on internships to evaluate students before offering PPOs, particularly in IT, data science, and technology, according to John Jose.