The latest JobSpeak report released by job portal Naukri has revealed that recruitment for AI-related roles in the IT sector increased by 16% over the past month, while overall IT hiring declined by 3% during the same period. The trend highlights a significant shift in hiring priorities as companies increasingly focus on AI-driven technologies and digital transformation initiatives.
The report is based on an analysis of job listings from more than 150,000 companies across sectors.
According to the findings, demand is rising sharply for professionals with expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Generative AI, Data Science and related emerging technologies. Employers are increasingly seeking candidates who possess practical experience with AI tools, automation platforms and advanced analytics solutions.
The growing preference for AI-skilled professionals suggests that technology companies are redirecting investments toward future-focused capabilities rather than conventional IT functions.
Info Edge Chief Executive Officer Hitesh Oberoi said the widening gap between AI hiring and overall IT recruitment reflects where technology firms are concentrating their resources.
“The divergence between AI and overall IT hiring shows where technology companies continue to invest. AI is rapidly becoming a core capability area, particularly as demand shifts toward more senior and specialised talent,” Oberoi said.
The report also noted that AI and Machine Learning hiring increased by 25% across 14 sectors, indicating that demand is no longer limited to technology companies alone.
Among the strongest-performing industries were insurance and consumer goods, where organisations have accelerated the adoption of AI-powered solutions to improve customer engagement, operational efficiency and decision-making processes.
The findings come at a time when concerns are growing over the impact of automation and AI on traditional technology jobs.
Last month, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest software exporter, indicated that hiring across the IT sector could slow in the coming years as companies adopt AI technologies at scale. The company has been actively integrating AI agents into its operations and has spoken about building a workforce model where human employees and AI systems work together more extensively.
TCS had earlier reduced more than 12,000 positions, while its overall employee count declined by over 23,000 during the financial year ended March 2026, reflecting broader restructuring efforts underway across the technology industry.
Industry analysts believe the latest hiring data signals a structural transformation rather than a temporary trend. As businesses continue investing in AI-driven products and services, professionals with specialised expertise in machine learning models, data engineering, generative AI applications and automation technologies are expected to remain in high demand.
At the same time, the report suggests that job seekers may increasingly need to upskill in AI-related domains to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving employment market.
With AI adoption accelerating across industries, the technology is emerging as one of the most influential drivers of hiring decisions in India’s digital economy.
AI and Machine Learning Jobs Rise 25% in India as Traditional IT Hiring Slows: Report
Digital desk
The latest JobSpeak report released by job portal Naukri has revealed that recruitment for AI-related roles in the IT sector increased by 16% over the past month, while overall IT hiring declined by 3% during the same period. The trend highlights a significant shift in hiring priorities as companies increasingly focus on AI-driven technologies and digital transformation initiatives.
The report is based on an analysis of job listings from more than 150,000 companies across sectors.
According to the findings, demand is rising sharply for professionals with expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Generative AI, Data Science and related emerging technologies. Employers are increasingly seeking candidates who possess practical experience with AI tools, automation platforms and advanced analytics solutions.
The growing preference for AI-skilled professionals suggests that technology companies are redirecting investments toward future-focused capabilities rather than conventional IT functions.
Info Edge Chief Executive Officer Hitesh Oberoi said the widening gap between AI hiring and overall IT recruitment reflects where technology firms are concentrating their resources.
“The divergence between AI and overall IT hiring shows where technology companies continue to invest. AI is rapidly becoming a core capability area, particularly as demand shifts toward more senior and specialised talent,” Oberoi said.
The report also noted that AI and Machine Learning hiring increased by 25% across 14 sectors, indicating that demand is no longer limited to technology companies alone.
Among the strongest-performing industries were insurance and consumer goods, where organisations have accelerated the adoption of AI-powered solutions to improve customer engagement, operational efficiency and decision-making processes.
The findings come at a time when concerns are growing over the impact of automation and AI on traditional technology jobs.
Last month, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), India’s largest software exporter, indicated that hiring across the IT sector could slow in the coming years as companies adopt AI technologies at scale. The company has been actively integrating AI agents into its operations and has spoken about building a workforce model where human employees and AI systems work together more extensively.
TCS had earlier reduced more than 12,000 positions, while its overall employee count declined by over 23,000 during the financial year ended March 2026, reflecting broader restructuring efforts underway across the technology industry.
Industry analysts believe the latest hiring data signals a structural transformation rather than a temporary trend. As businesses continue investing in AI-driven products and services, professionals with specialised expertise in machine learning models, data engineering, generative AI applications and automation technologies are expected to remain in high demand.
At the same time, the report suggests that job seekers may increasingly need to upskill in AI-related domains to remain competitive in a rapidly evolving employment market.
With AI adoption accelerating across industries, the technology is emerging as one of the most influential drivers of hiring decisions in India’s digital economy.
