The growing adoption of artificial intelligence is expected to influence salary growth and appraisal outcomes in India over the next two to three years, particularly in sectors such as technology, Global Capability Centres and BFSI, according to a report by Press Trust of India citing Shantanu Rooj, founder and chief executive of TeamLease Edtech.

Rooj stated that companies in India are no longer treating artificial intelligence as an experimental capability and are instead integrating it into their core skill frameworks.

He informed that recent employer and workforce studies indicate that 92 per cent of Indian knowledge workers are already using AI at work, while 80 per cent of business leaders prefer hiring candidates with AI skills even if they have less experience compared to those without such capabilities.

He further stated that industry estimates suggest demand for AI professionals in India could exceed one million by 2026, reflecting a shift in how organisations view AI not just as a productivity tool but as a central component of workforce strategy.

Rooj stated that organisations are increasingly moving towards AI-influenced appraisal and career progression frameworks, particularly in digitally intensive roles, adding that global studies show generative AI can impact tasks accounting for 60 to 70 per cent of work time, with nearly 75 per cent of value concentrated in functions such as customer operations, marketing and sales, software engineering, and research and development.

He explained that roles including software developers, quality assurance engineers, data and business intelligence analysts, digital marketers, inside sales teams, customer support, compliance operations, finance operations, human resources functions and research-led roles are likely to witness faster appraisal shifts, as performance measurement evolves to include the effective use of AI to enhance speed, quality and decision-making.

Rooj stated that over the next two to three years, the impact of AI is expected to become significant for approximately 25 to 40 per cent of white-collar roles, with stronger visibility in sectors such as technology, GCCs, BFSI, consulting, healthcare, e-commerce and advanced manufacturing.

He further informed that global employer surveys indicate that around two-thirds of organisations plan to hire for AI-specific skills, while 39 per cent of core skills are expected to change by 2030 and nearly 40 per cent of employers anticipate workforce reductions in areas where AI can automate tasks.

Rooj added that the adoption of AI across the workforce is likely to be widespread but uneven, initially concentrated in high-skill and highly digitised sectors before extending to broader enterprise functions as organisations transition from pilot projects to full-scale operational integration.

He concluded that while hiring patterns will evolve, companies are expected to become more selective, focusing on high-value capabilities, making upskilling and role readiness increasingly critical for employees.

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