MUMBAI: The AI race is no longer just about hiring smarter, it’s about teaching faster. Indian companies are increasingly choosing to build AI talent from within rather than compete for scarce external hires, as enterprises ramp up investments in certification-led upskilling to prepare employees for an AI-driven workplace, according to insights from learning and workforce development platform edForce.
The findings point to a significant shift in workforce strategy during FY2025–26, with organisations placing greater emphasis on reskilling existing employees as artificial intelligence reshapes job roles across industries.
Demand is being led by certifications in Agentic AI, Generative AI, cloud computing and cybersecurity, highlighting the growing need for practical, job-ready skills as businesses accelerate AI adoption.
Certification programmes are also becoming central to enterprise learning strategies. Around 65–70 per cent of corporate learning engagements now include a certification component, up sharply from 45–50 per cent a year earlier, as employers increasingly use recognised credentials to validate skills, support career progression and improve workforce readiness.
The report also reveals that companies are prioritising mid-career professionals over fresh hiring. Nearly 60 per cent of certification demand comes from employees with three to ten years of experience, signalling a clear focus on reskilling experienced talent rather than expanding headcount.
AI learning is no longer confined to technology teams. Alongside software engineers, product managers, project managers, business analysts, operations leaders and consulting professionals are increasingly enrolling in certification programmes as AI becomes embedded across business functions.
The technology and IT services sector accounts for the largest share of certification demand at around 42 per cent, followed by banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), manufacturing, healthcare and life sciences, and retail. The trend suggests AI-led workforce transformation is becoming an enterprise-wide priority rather than remaining limited to technology departments.
The shift also reflects changing employer expectations. As AI automates routine tasks, organisations are placing greater value on demonstrable skills that can be applied immediately in the workplace, with certifications emerging as a practical benchmark for workforce capability.
Looking ahead, edForce expects demand to remain strong across emerging areas including Agentic AI, Generative AI, AI infrastructure, AI security, cloud architecture, cloud security, MLOps, data engineering and AI-focused leadership programmes, underscoring the growing importance of continuous learning in an increasingly AI-powered economy.