EY India and Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) launched AI VIBE (Varsity for Innovation, Business and Economics) on August 17, 2026, marking a significant milestone in India's AI talent development. This first-of-its-kind industry-academia initiative is designed to prepare students for careers in an AI-enabled economy, targeting students from Semester 3 onwards with selective admissions through assessments, interviews, and Statement of Purpose submissions. The programme will provide immersive training in machine learning, Generative AI, AI agents, decision intelligence, data analytics, financial technologies, blockchain, responsible AI and AI governance to equip participants with essential skills for the rapidly evolving business environment.
India's artificial intelligence hiring share has demonstrated consistent growth over the past six years, with the country experiencing steady increases in AI-related job postings through LinkedIn. According to reports from Business Standard, this trend has been observed annually except for the year 2022, indicating sustained market demand for AI talent. The growth pattern suggests that India's AI talent acquisition is primarily driven by market demand rather than advances in science and research.
India maintains a strong position in global AI talent assessment, ranking second globally after the United States in overall talent scores across two of three categories. As reported by Business Standard, this competitive positioning reflects the country's growing capabilities in AI-related skills and expertise. The ranking demonstrates India's potential to become a significant player in the global AI talent market.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a major national mission during his Independence Day speech to provide artificial intelligence skill training to 10 million young Indians within a year. According to Business Standard, this ambitious initiative represents a significant government commitment to building India's AI workforce capabilities. Meanwhile, EY India continues to invest in developing future-ready skills through its EY AI Varsity programme, which has equipped about 50,000 employees with AI skills. The company has also collaborated with Microsoft on the AI Skills Passport - a free, online program that provides equitable access to high-quality AI education for youth aged 16 and older.
Despite the growing AI hiring trends and government initiatives, legislative engagement with AI remains limited in India. As reported by Business Standard, this gap between market demand and policy framework highlights potential challenges in the country's approach to AI development. The limited legislative engagement suggests that India's AI ecosystem is primarily market-driven rather than policy-guided, which could impact long-term strategic planning and regulatory oversight.
