Fifty-five per cent of Indian employees have utilised artificial intelligence (AI) tools in their workplace, according to a new study by the Brij Disa Centre for Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (CDSA). According to the report, titled ‘Labour-force Perception about AI – A Study on Indian White-collar Workers,’ nearly half (48%) of surveyed employees reported that their organisations had provided them with AI training. The study also revealed that AI adoption varies significantly based on academic background. Technical diploma holders had the highest AI adoption rate at 72%, followed by postgraduates at 64%, and graduates at 39%.
Employees with technical qualifications were more optimistic, with 83% expecting AI to create new jobs, while 67% anticipated that their current roles would be automated. In contrast, postgraduate employees were less optimistic, with 63% expecting their jobs to be automated and only 52% anticipating new job opportunities.
The study also highlighted that business context and experience play crucial roles in AI adoption. Employees with six to ten years of experience had the highest adoption rate at 63%, followed by those with eleven to eighteen years of experience. Entry-level employees, however, showed the lowest adoption rate at just 32%, indicating slower AI adoption among those at the beginning of their careers.
Anticipated job automation
As AI continues to reshape job profiles, the report found that 68% of employees expect their roles to be partially or fully automated within the next five years. Additionally, 40% of respondents believe their current skills will become redundant due to technological advancements. However, there is also optimism about increased automation in the workplace, with 63% of employees expecting AI to create new job roles in the coming years.
The workforce’s overall recognition of AI’s significance is clear, with 72% acknowledging that AI enhances their work performance and 59% stating that AI complements their tasks. Moreover, 62% of respondents admitted to using AI tools outside of their formal work requirements, reflecting a growing personal engagement with the technology.
The study revealed an uneven level of AI adoption across industries. The education sector leads with 74% of employees utilising AI tools, followed by the information technology sector at 66%, and public administration at 61%.
Conversely, sectors such as retail and trade (31%), infrastructure (38%), and finance and insurance (54%) are lagging behind. The relatively low adoption rate in the finance and insurance sector was particularly surprising, given the industry’s potential to benefit from AI-driven efficiencies.
The AI challenge and workforce engagement
The disruption caused by AI in the Indian white-collar workforce is already underway, with a level of AI intervention that may exceed general perceptions. A significant portion of employees are proactively engaging with AI by pursuing training, either independently or through their organisations. The majority view AI as a tool that enhances their performance and believes that AI knowledge is essential for career progression.
IIMA director Bharat Bhasker said: “We must accept the fact that AI, ML, AR-VR, and other cutting-edge technologies have transitioned from being mere elements of science fiction to becoming integral parts of our present reality.
“The AI age is upon us, and its influence is growing significantly within the workforce and across various industries. Businesses and employees are realising the potential for enhanced efficiency and innovation through AI technologies, while industries are beginning to grasp the transformative impact of AI on everything from customer service to product development.”
Concerns and opportunities in the AI era
Despite optimism about AI’s potential, there is an underlying concern regarding job automation. Sixty-eight per cent of employees expect AI to automate their roles within the next five years, and 40% fear their current skills will become obsolete. Nevertheless, 63% of employees remain hopeful that AI will also create new job opportunities.
The study also highlights a potential gap in current education and training systems, particularly for recent graduates and entry-level workers. These groups have shown lower levels of AI awareness and adoption, suggesting a need for enhanced training and upskilling programmes to prepare them for the AI-driven future.
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