AI talent gap: Savvy freshers bag 4x more pay

BENGALURU: Technology companies are facing a significant shortfall in AI-specialised talent, with just 15-20% of the workforce trained in artificial intelligence. This has prompted a shift in hiring strategies across the sector.

From major IT services firms like HCLTech to digital engineering players like Publicis Sapient and emerging AI startups such as StaqU, the message is consistent: the available talent pool is struggling to match the rapidly growing demand. “There just aren’t that many people in the market with AI skills,” said Shefali Sharma Garg, chief people officer at Publicis Sapient.