AI is changing jobs in India faster than ever but professionals are learning the real skill isn't coding -- it's adaptability.
Artificial intelligence has stopped being a distant disruptor -- it is now firmly embedded in the way Indians work.
A new LinkedIn report reveals how professionals are adapting: From Google engineers using AI daily to leaders urging mindset shifts, the story is not about resisting change but reinventing careers.
As roles evolve and new pathways like AI implementation experts emerge, the one enduring skill appears to be adaptability.
In a time when algorithms reshape work nearly every day, Indian professionals must become architects of their own evolution.
AI is no longer a distant disruptor -- it is already redefining how people think, decide and produce.
For India's workforce, the challenge has shifted: It is not simply about mastering new tools but about reshaping roles, expectations and even identities.
In its Guide to Future-Proofing Your Career (external link), LinkedIn interviewed leaders, technologists and innovators across industries to understand how AI is transforming work and what professionals who thrive are doing differently.
From blending technical depth with human finesse to cultivating adaptability, the future-ready worker is emerging not from a fixed path but from continuous reinvention.
Everyday AI at work
Archy Gupta, software engineer at Google, is unequivocal: She does not see AI as some futuristic 'tomorrow's tech.' Instead, she explained in a LinkedIn post: 'I already use it every single day and it saves me a lot of time. From brainstorming ideas to making decisions, AI speeds me up and frees my mind for the work that actually matters.'
Her words reflect a broader trend.
LinkedIn data shows more than 62 per cent of Indian professionals already believe AI helps them complete tasks faster while 59 per cent say they are excited and optimistic about its potential at work.
A market in flux
AI's effect is already visible in the Indian labour market.
Prompt engineering, large language models and AI literacy featured prominently among LinkedIn's Skills on the Rise in 2025.
Yet, there is a sharp mismatch between demand and supply. For every 10 generative AI job openings in India, there is just one qualified engineer available, according to TeamLease Digital.
LinkedIn data further shows that while new roles are emerging, fewer than half of job functions saw more professionals entering than exiting them in the past year. The areas drawing the most talent include consulting, business development, real estate and product management.
Meanwhile, certain sectors such as media, communications and marketing are already experiencing change as AI tools reshape day-to-day work.
Roles requiring strong physical presence or direct human interaction, such as real estate or healthcare, are evolving more slowly but will inevitably feel AI's influence as integration deepens.
Upskilling and mindset shifts
Upskilling is racing to catch up. Non-technical professionals in India enrolling in AI courses on LinkedIn Learning grew by 51 per cent in the past year. Senior professionals over 50 are also increasingly engaging with AI training, often through edtech platforms.
Yet the transition is not seamless.
Globally, 41 per cent of professionals feel overwhelmed by how quickly they are expected to master AI and one-third admit to feeling embarrassed about their lack of knowledge.
Rasesh Shah, chief practice officer-edTech at Fractal, emphasised the cultural shift required, 'Adopting AI successfully requires a mindset shift. It's about being curious enough to question existing workflows and identify where AI can contribute.'
For Aayushi Gupta, lead-generative AI consulting CoE at IGT Solution, the key is continuous reinvention: 'Future-proofing doesn't come from being around new tech -- it comes from learning how to learn, again and again, as the ground shifts under us.' She added that the secret lies in strategy, communication, systems thinking and 'soft skills that don't expire with the next model release.'
New careers and serial experts
Beyond upskilling, entirely new career pathways are forming.
Abhishek Patil, founder of GrowthX, described one of them: 'The AI implementation expert is somebody who can come into a company, understand business context, identify problems and integrate AI into different workflows to either increase revenue, reduce cost and/or increase productivity.'
Patil also noted that professionals are becoming increasingly 'location-conscious,' carefully weighing the opportunity cost of career moves based on geography.
Srikanth Velamakanni, vice chairperson at Nasscom and co-founder and group CEO at Fractal, went further, suggesting that the very concept of a career is due for an overhaul: 'If you think of a 40-50-year career, there may be four different careers you may need to have.' His advice? Dive deep into one topic, then every few years pivot into another, becoming a 'serial expert.'
The human edge
Even as AI transforms skills, professionals still insist there is no substitute for human judgement.
LinkedIn data shows four in five professionals globally believe intuition and trusted colleagues remain irreplaceable. Skills like creativity, problem-solving and strategic thinking are among the top five rising skills in India this year.
As Aayushi Gupta succinctly put it, 'The real competitive edge isn't AI -- it's adaptability.'
