94% of Indian employees believe AI skills will skyrocket their careers, reveals Emeritus study

A new report from professional education provider Emeritus indicates that India’s workforce is embracing artificial intelligence at an unprecedented rate, with 94% of respondents believing that AI skills will help fast-track their careers.

The 2025 Global Workplace Skills Study surveyed over 6,000 working professionals ages 21 to 65 in 18 countries. It found that Indian employees not only lead the world in adopting AI tools but are also increasingly concerned about staying competitive in a rapidly shifting job market.

Indian employees using AI, GenAI

According to the survey, 96% of Indian professionals say they already use AI and generative AI technologies at work, far surpassing the 81% usage rate reported in the United States and 84% in the United Kingdom.

The result is a measurable uptick in productivity, with 95% of India’s workforce reporting greater efficiency through AI deployment—significantly higher than the global average.

More than 90% of Indian respondents also identified AI and generative AI expertise as key to future success, and 94% believe such skills will open doors to opportunities in multiple industries.

Prioritizing machine learning

The report found that AI development and application, mastering emerging technologies, effective communication, machine learning, and strategic leadership are the top five skills Indian professionals are most eager to cultivate.

Machine learning stands out in particular, as Indians were found to be twice as likely as their global counterparts to prioritize it. Even as workers credit AI for boosting performance and job satisfaction—93% say its deployment has improved their workplace experience—many also express concern about being replaced if they fail to upskill.

Investing in training

The heightened adoption of AI in India appears to be linked to robust corporate backing. The study notes that 73% of employers have stepped up investments in training over the past year, compared to a global average of 46%.

Internal programs and career coaching rank high among the resources companies provide, with 40% of Indian professionals expecting employers to chip in financially for upskilling. Analysts say this commitment to staff development may help organizations both retain top talent and accelerate digital transformation as the Indian economy matures.

Ashwin Damera, chief executive officer and co-founder of Emeritus, said India’s workforce is not just adapting to new technology but actively shaping it.

“As the world undergoes economic and technological changes, the workforce needs to keep up with the time and evolve their approach to work with new skills, mindsets and competencies,” Damera said.

“India’s workforce is not only adapting to AI but actively harnessing it to shape the future of work. The findings from the Emeritus Global Workplace Skills Study highlight the resilience and forward-thinking mindset of Indian professionals and their employers in positioning AI as a career catalyst.”

Emeritus researchers also pointed out the growing significance of AI’s adoption for small and medium-size enterprises, a sector crucial to India’s economic growth.

The study concludes that strong employer sponsorship of upskilling programs, combined with a near-universal awareness of AI’s potential, is placing India at the forefront of a global shift toward digitally driven productivity.