India’s focus on Artificial Intelligence (AI) must extend beyond technology adoption to preparing its workforce to work alongside AI, according to a new report by Primus Partners.

Titled The AI Workforce Advantage, the report examines how AI is changing workplace skills, career progression and organisational readiness. Based on secondary research and a survey of 345 stakeholders across 15 states, including employees, students, founders, HR leaders and policymakers, it finds that AI is currently augmenting work faster than it is replacing jobs.

The report notes that employees are using AI to support routine tasks, while organisations are primarily adopting it to automate activities within existing roles rather than reduce their workforce.

It also identifies a growing divide between AI-enabled and non-AI-enabled talent. While employees increasingly see AI skills as important for career growth, employers value workers who can use AI to improve productivity and create value. The report suggests that AI literacy is becoming a workplace capability rather than a specialist skill.

At the same time, the report highlights a gap between industry expectations and workforce preparedness. Students and employees have limited access to formal AI education and structured workplace training, while demand for AI and digital capabilities continues to grow.

Charu Malhotra, Managing Director and Co-Founder, Primus Partners, said India needs closer collaboration between industry and academia to prepare talent for emerging roles and maintain its competitiveness.

The report identifies three shifts in the future of work: greater emphasis on human judgement, creativity and critical thinking; a shift from access to AI tools towards effective use of them; and increasing importance of adaptability and continuous learning in career progression.

It recommends a coordinated approach focused on AI literacy, workforce development, curriculum modernisation and responsible AI governance to support productivity and workforce resilience.

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