AI professionals beat coders as skills base shifts: report

Indian employers are choosing professionals with artificial intelligence (AI) skills over those with general expertise in coding, project management, or content marketing, according to the Mint+Shine Talent Insights report published on Wednesday.

The findings are based on responses from 1,300 job seekers and 251 human resource (HR) executives between January and March. The results show a clear shift in hiring trends within the tech industry.

About 29% of respondents noted a reduction in demand for traditional coding roles compared to the previous year. While entry-level coding and support jobs are decreasing, there is growing interest in roles that has combines AI with engineering and product development.

The IT sector continues to a strong recruiter, comprising for 37% of all hiring last year. This is because of increased digital transformation, startup activity, and remote work opportunities.

Shine.com chief executive officer (CEO) Akhil Gupta reportedly said that AI has been changing the way the industry works, those who adapt to the change “will stay relevant in the new world of work”.

This change is also observed in the rise of upskilling platforms such as upGrad and Eruditus, which have secured new investments.

As industries change, companies are rethinking which technical skills matter. Amit Chadha, CEO and managing director of L&T Technology Services, reportedly said that traditional skills like standalone CAD, CAM, and manual testing are being replaced by automated and integrated systems.

This shift is not limited to startups—global capability centres (GCCs) in India are expected to generate some 450,000 jobs this year. The banking and e-commerce sectors also continue to hire, though at a slightly reduced pace in some areas.

Businesses are also changing how they operate. Raman Khanduja of MintOak Innovations noted a reduced need for routine tasks like manual coding, while Dale Vaz of Sahi said their AI-based model has helped cut costs.