Mumbai: Career platform Naukri.com has unveiled its latest report titled “AI: Friend, Foe or Frenemy” on the occasion of World AI Day, offering a data-rich lens into how AI is transforming the Indian job market. Contrary to global fears of mass job losses, the report reveals a deeper anxiety among Indian professionals—not of job loss, but of losing creativity, particularly in creative industries.
According to the report, 41% of professionals in advertising and marketing fear that AI could reduce creativity in their work. This concern is shared by 54% of those in Animation and VFX and 43% in Film and Music, pointing to a rising unease in industries where originality and human expression are central.
While these anxieties loom large, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly optimistic. Backed by data from 60,000+ jobseekers, recruiter inputs, and job listings, the study finds that 86% of Indian jobseekers view AI as a friend, not a threat.
AI’s growing presence in India is supported by strong numbers:
- AI/ML job postings grew 38% YoY in Q1 FY’26
- Over 35,000 AI jobs were posted between April–June 2025
- Tier-2 cities like Indore, Kochi, and Coimbatore are emerging as AI hubs
- AI-skilled professionals earn 53% higher median salaries than their non-AI peers
- Freshers see up to 56% salary premiums, while senior professionals (13–16 years) earn up to 32% more with AI skills
Pawan Goyal, Chief Business Officer, Naukri.com, noted, “AI-linked roles are growing faster, salaries are higher, and demand is rising across industries — not just in IT. 86% of jobseekers see AI as a friend, not a threat. Freshers remain anxious, but AI job growth for entry-level roles is up +34%, while senior professionals are seeing the biggest salary premiums. The gap is clear: those with AI skills are moving ahead faster than those in traditional tech roles.”
The report also highlights a significant shift in hiring patterns, with non-IT sectors like Banking (up 48%), BPO (39%), KPO (56%), and Accounting (49%) ramping up AI hiring.
Jobseekers are also demanding more from employers—36% want free AI courses, and 1 in 3 IT professionals prefer hands-on AI project exposure over just theoretical learning.
As the AI revolution continues to reshape India’s workforce, Naukri’s report makes one thing clear: AI is no longer the future—it’s the now.
