AI impact on jobs: 62 per cent of India employees believe the skills required to do their job will change significantly over the next five years. (Image: Reuters/Representative)
India can become the pioneer in incorporating AI technology into business if the industry moves ahead with the right upskilling approach, says PwC’s report titled ‘India Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2023’
A majority of Indians (51 per cent of the respondents) believe that artificial intelligence (AI) will increase their productivity at work as compared to 31 per cent of global respondents, provided their organisations support with upskilling opportunities, according to a survey report by PwC.
“India can become the pioneer in incorporating AI technology into business if the industry moves ahead with the right upskilling approach,” said the PwC report titled ‘India Workforce Hopes and Fears Survey 2023’.
According to the survey, 62 per cent of India employees believe the skills required to do their job will change significantly over the next five years; 69 per cent of them are also aware of how these requirements will change.
India respondents are also over 15 per cent more confident as compared to their global counterparts that their employer will provide them with the necessary tools and opportunities to develop the requisite skill sets.
Anumeha Singh, partner at PwC India, said, “Amid the rising uncertainty and seismic impact of AI, the workforce is demanding more from their employers on all counts. The workforce is not settling with a competitive compensation only — which continues to be a hygiene — but also a deeper job satisfaction, and faster growth opportunities to fulfil their aspirations.”
Singh added that to thrive, organisations and leaders will need to make some tough choices while blending adaptability with innovative workforce structures and career pathways, for an ever-evolving landscape.
The report also highlights that the Indian workforce is restless, with 42 per cent of employees indicating that they are likely to change jobs in the next year due to expectations of better pay packages and promotions as compared to 26 per cent globally.
Additionally, 70 per cent of India participants, as against 35 per cent of their global counterparts, are willing to ask for a promotion. While a significant amount of organisational efforts are focussed on the younger generation, our survey found that managers and senior executives will also need attention.
Kartik Rishi, Partner, PwC India said, “Most Indian leaders are aware of the criticality to transform their workforce for the future success of their businesses. Similarly, as their work and workplace are undergoing significant changes, employees in India are highly aware of the urgency to upskill, it increasingly becoming an important factor in their career decisions.”
Rishi, however, added that organisations continue to adopt a much lesser focus on skills, especially those for the future, in their talent strategies and programs. Adopting a forward-looking, skills-first approach, which is integrated in their business processes will be a key factor for leaders in sustaining businesses over the next decade.
Source: News18