India faces AI talent crunch with 2.3 million job openings by 2027 suggest reports 

A shortage of skilled AI professionals is slowing AI adoption, as demand for expertise outpaces supply, according to a latest  report by Bain & Company. AI-related job postings have grown by 21% annually since 2019, with compensation rising 11% per year. However, businesses are struggling to find qualified talent, creating a widening skills gap.

 As AI is taking over industries, companies are unable to fill AI roles and risk falling behind in innovation and competition.”AI is at the forefront of corporate transformation, but without the right talent” said Sarah Elk, Americas head of AI, Insights, and Solutions at Bain & Company. 

“Executives see the growing AI talent gap as a major roadblock to innovation, limiting businesses’ ability to scale and compete in an AI-driven world. Companies navigating this increasingly competitive hiring landscape need to take action now, upskilling existing teams, expanding hiring strategies and rethinking ways to attract and retain AI talent.”

India  will face  one of the largest AI talent shortages, with job openings projected to exceed 2.3 million by 2027, while the available workforce is expected to reach only 1.2 million,leaving a gap of over 1 million professionals. In the United States, AI job demand could surpass 1.3 million in two years, but with only 645,000 skilled professionals available, up to 700,000 positions may go unfilled. 

Germany is expected to face the most severe shortage, with up to 70% of AI jobs unfilled by 2027. The United Kingdom may see a 50% shortfall, with just 105,000 professionals available for up to 255,000 roles. Meanwhile, Australia could face a shortfall of more than 60,000 AI specialists, with only 84,000 available to meet a demand of 146,000 jobs. 

In addition, another LinkedIn report released in 2025 highlights AI driven job growth with AI engineers as the most sought after role . Other notable positions include aircraft maintenance engineers and robotics technicians , both of which are gaining prominence across industries .

Similarly Naukri.com identified industries fueling job market expansion in December 2024. Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning topped charts with a 36 percent growth , followed by oil and gas with over over 13 percent growth, fmcg with over 12 percent growth and healthcare with over 12percent growth.

Naukri CBO Pawan Goyal, said: “India’s job market is entering 2025 with vigour , driven by AI and machine learning growth and creative sectors.”