6 Highly Desirable AI Skills for 2025

When you read about the global race for artificial intelligence (AI), you often hear about the United States, China, and countries in the European Union. However, India is taking great strides to cement its place in the race with governmental programmes that encourage the development and implementation of AI, which could provide solutions for some of the country's unique challenges.

The technology is gaining increasing importance. In 2022, its most recent edition, Deloitte conducted a survey, State of AI in India, involving 2,620 global business leaders and 200 business leaders in India. The results showed that as AI supports better business outcomes, the country-wide drive to adopt it continues gaining traction. Individual companies are taking proactive measures to implement strategies to mitigate ethical concerns and upskill the workforce to help ensure people have the appropriate skills needed to support AI efforts.

That support is critical, particularly as demand for professionals with AI skills has increased exponentially over the past few years. Today, according to the National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) data, India ranks first worldwide regarding AI skill penetration. It has the world’s second-largest AI, machine learning, and big data analytics talent pool. Even so, Nasscom anticipates the country will need another million professionals with AI skills by 2026 [1].

Coupled with the high potential earning power associated with many careers in AI, the demand for skilled workers could motivate you to start sharpening your skill set and preparing for the type of job you desire. This article takes a deeper look at the use of AI in India, the six skills in demand in 2025, and some of the careers you might consider.

Why are AI skills in such high demand?

As more businesses, organisations, and industries adopt AI-driven technologies, including ChatGPT and DALL-E3, the demand for individuals with relevant skills has soared. The Indian government sponsors numerous programmes to hasten AI's adoption and growth, including the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence and AI for All. Generative AI is already used in nearly every sector of the Indian economy. As the country’s technology industry evolves, companies need more people with the skills to propel it forward. 

Who uses AI?

Individuals, businesses, and industries use AI throughout India. Research from the International Monetary Fund indicates that by 2030, India will lead the world in daily AI use [2]. 

Indian companies across various industries are already using AI or innovating ways to begin incorporating it into their businesses. For example, Stellapps Technologies is using AI to make strides in monitoring cattle on dairy farms and implement smart solutions for milking and automating tasks. SigTuple created an AI-based software solution for faster, lower-cost X-ray analysis in the medical field. Here at Coursera, courses use AI software to grade assessments, check for educational integrity, and help tutor learners daily in India.

These examples illustrate just a few of AI's uses in India. Explore how technology is revolutionising various industries nationwide with the following examples.

Education

AI in the educational sector is already helping to increase learner engagement and provide options for personalised education. Additionally, the technology can provide learners with fast feedback on projects and assignments and identify learners for additional support. It has the power to bridge gaps in learning across the country's various regions, provide the data necessary to drive early intervention for learners who struggle, and foster ongoing learning throughout individuals' lives and career paths.

Healthcare

The use of AI in healthcare is increasingly possible with government-backed programmes like the National Health Authority’s Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), which works to aid in digitising the healthcare ecosystem and support the development of the required infrastructure. The technology can drive significant innovations and advancements in India's healthcare industry. It can aid physicians in making diagnoses and clinical decisions. Additionally, in 2024, you may see increased use of AI in remote patient monitoring, support for mental health patients, and personalised treatments. 

Defence

In 2022, the Indian government released 75 AI technologies it uses or is exploring for military use [3]. Potential applications include cybersecurity, data processing, and autonomous systems like drones, which may aid in securing the borders.

Retail

Retail and e-commerce are ideal environments for implementing emerging technologies like generative AI. Some of the country's retailers are already incorporating chatbots that greet you and can answer questions like, "What should I wear to my upcoming finance job interview" and receive personalised recommendations based on your shopping history. Other ways AI is transforming the retail sector include its ability to help marketers devise tailored, personalised strategies and content to reach more consumers.

Agriculture

AI can drive agricultural improvements to meet the population's increasing demands for food production and stability in an industry that significantly benefits the country's economy and well-being. The technology can leverage data for precision agriculture, with farmers gaining insights into real-time conditions, which allows them to water and tend to crops exactly as needed. Machine learning can help pinpoint pest infestations and risk factors for crop-destroying diseases. It can aid in resource conservation and supply chain management, helping to minimise losses and waste while improving transparency.

Essential AI skills

AI skills like programming, machine learning, and data analysis are among the essentials you’ll need to cultivate to build a successful career. Employers are looking for workers with AI skills across various sectors, from healthcare and retail to finance and manufacturing. 

Whether you intend to use AI recreationally or it’s required for your job, learning these six skills can help you move forward.

1. Programming

Like so many technological jobs, cultivating strong programming skills is vital for working with AI. Familiarity with AI programming languages like C++, Python, and R is essential for developing AI applications. These coding languages aid in the creation of AI algorithms and models. Other popular languages include Java, which is helpful for debugging and automation, and Julia, a dynamic programming language that supports data analysis and deep learning codes.

2. Natural language processing

Natural language processing (NLP) falls under the broader category of AI. The technology enables machines to understand and interpret language as humans do. If you've ever used Apple's Siri or Google Assistant, you've already witnessed NLP. In India, home to numerous regional languages, NLP is pivotal for digitising the country. From learning the fundamentals to gaining the skills needed to build NLP algorithms, this field is diverse, with applications that range from understanding context to optimising machines’ abilities to make sense of large volumes of data. 

3. Machine learning

Machine learning is another field that falls under the greater umbrella of AI and is largely viewed as the leading AI technology today. Understanding how it works and developing proficiency in building and implementing machine learning models and algorithms can help grow your career. Becoming familiar with machine learning frameworks like PyTorch and the roles of unsupervised and supervised learning will also be helpful.

4. Algorithms

AI algorithms aid in various tasks, including clustering, classification, and translation. These elements allow AI applications to grow, learn new skills, and use data to add intelligence to products and improve other technologies. Neural networks rely on a structure similar to the human brain, and machine learning relies on algorithms for machines to “learn” from data.

5. Data analysis

Data analytics is an industry all of its own, with significant growth anticipated for the next few years. It goes beyond simply collecting data to transforming it into the information necessary to drive improved decisions, gain deeper insights, and fuel AI technologies. Many AI jobs, like AI engineering, involve significant work with data, requiring familiarity with data cleaning, manipulation, and working with frameworks like SQL. 

6. Maths and statistics

Mathematics is a critical skill that makes AI possible. Maths and statistics help power machines' abilities to learn and reason. Mathematics is at the heart of all AI models and algorithms. If you want to work in AI, learning about statistics, linear algebra, probability theory, and calculus is essential. 

What workplace skills are needed for a career in AI?

Technical skills like the AI skills listed above are critical. Still, workplace skills like teamwork, critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication are essential to building a thriving career in AI. According to LinkedIn’s 2023 Future of the Workplace: AI at Work report, tech professionals with workplace skills, in addition to technical skills, get promoted 13 percent faster than those with only technical skills [4].

Some of the critical workplace skills to develop include the following:

• Creative thinking

• Communication and interpersonal skills

• Leadership

• Flexibility and adaptability

• Problem-solving

• Time management

• Active listening

• Collaboration

• Curiosity

• Ethics

• Decision-making

How to improve AI skills

Now that you understand the AI skills that can support thriving careers in AI, let’s examine some of the strategies you can use to sharpen your skills. Whether you’re young and just starting or more established in your career, you have multiple avenues available to improve your AI skill set. 

The Indian government has several initiatives to foster skill development, including the National Programme on Artificial Intelligence and the YUVAi—Youth for Unnati and Vikas with AI programme. The latter aims to help India's youth gain more knowledge of AI and develop relevant skills.

Other ways to build on your capabilities include the following:

• Taking online courses: You can gain knowledge and boost your skills through online classes offered by government programmes or reputable online platforms.

• Get certified: Earn CV-boosting credentials that prove your skills with certifications like the Certified Artificial Intelligence Expert credential from the Global Tech Council or skill-specific options like Python certification.

• Practice: The more you work on AI projects within your area of interest, the more robust your skills will be. Practice is essential to developing strong knowledge and skills from maths to programming.

Careers in AI in India

AI is fueling job growth nationwide as the demand for AI professionals has remained high. Data from ServiceNow’s 2024 AI Skills and Job Report predicts emerging technologies, like AI, will generate 2.73 million new tech jobs in India by 2028 [5].

The following summarizes four popular career options, basic expectations, and average salary information. 

Machine learning engineer

Average annual base salary (IN): ₹10,95,000 [6]

Typical education: Bachelor’s degree at a minimum 

As a machine learning engineer, you will perform various tasks, including developing machine learning models to help achieve specific goals and objectives or to solve specific problems. You'll also engage in lifelong learning to remain current on evolving best practices, analyse algorithms and evaluate their success, and maintain deep learning services. 

This exciting career requires skills like programming with R or Python, data acquisition and visualisation, cloud computing, and business intelligence. You'll use maths and statistical skills to conduct supervised, semi-supervised, and unsupervised learning, cross-validation, data cleaning, and model optimisation and deployment.

Data analyst

Average annual base salary (IN): ₹6,00,000 [7]

Typical education: Bachelor's degree or an advanced degree in a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) field

As a data analyst, you will collect data and analyse it to gain insights, support key decisions, and report findings. Common tasks include data cleaning and visualisation, processing and organising raw data, interpreting analyses, and reporting your findings. You may find data analyst roles in various industries, including retail, healthcare, and finance.

Typical skills for this role include programming and data visualisation tools like Tableau. You should also develop a familiarity with SQL and use the insights to support machine learning and AI projects.

Robotics engineer

Average annual base salary (IN): ₹5,06,250 [8]

Typical education: Diploma or bachelor’s in robotic engineering or related area at a minimum

As a robotics engineer, you’ll use skills like automation, signal processing, and computer-aided design or computer-aided manufacturing to design and build robotic systems. In addition to seeing projects through from conceptualisation to implementation, you'll also work on electronic components, program algorithms, and code software programs to guide the robot's actions, incorporate sensors, and interpret the data from those sensors. You will apply AI methodologies to help robots learn and adapt from their experiences and analyse their movements to ensure accuracy.

Automation engineer

Average annual base salary (IN): ₹6,77,500 [9]

Typical education: Bachelor’s degree at a minimum

You may work directly with machines or more on the programming end of automation engineering. Either way, you'll likely work with a larger engineering team to develop and implement automation systems. You'll be tasked with researching emerging technologies, creating the necessary input and output connections, following quality control and assurance processes, and mitigating operational errors. You'll use the technology and systems to help improve efficiencies, using various skills, including programming, knowledge of mechanics, leadership, and creativity.

Develop your AI skills with Coursera

With a significant gap in the talent pool and sustained demand for professionals with AI skills, the state of AI in India is very exciting. Critical roles, including machine learning engineers and data analysts, drive the country forward in the global AI race. As more businesses adopt relevant technologies, the need to gain AI skills grows stronger every day. 

One of the effective ways to begin sharpening your skills and gaining foundational knowledge is with online courses. For example, you can explore the broader field of AI and develop skills like AI terminology and machine learning basics with AI for Everyone from DeepLearning.AI or gain skills in a more specific area with courses like Google’s Introduction to Generative AI. Whether you want to go deeper with options like the Machine Learning Specialisation from Stanford and DeepLearning.AI or gain a credential to boost your resume with IBM’s AI Developer Professional Certificate, you can find world-class options on Coursera.