LinkedIn reveals how Indian professionals are adapting when it comes to AI

India: According to new research from LinkedIn, the world’s largest professional network, generative AI innovations are prompting professionals to adapt to new ways of working in India. Over 8 in 10 professionals (81%) believe that there will be ‘significant’ change to their jobs in the next year as a result of AI. While this has created some uncertainty with 60% of professionals feeling overwhelmed and 39% worried that they won’t be able to keep up with AI developments sweeping through the workplace, the majority of professionals in India are willing to embrace the shift. 7 in 10 professionals (71%) say they want to learn more about AI, even if they don’t know where to start.  In fact, 68% of the workforce admits to already using generative AI in their job, with 1 in 2 professionals (50%) trying out generative AI tools like ChatGPT. Millennials (54%) are leading the usage of ChatGPT followed by GenZ (46%) professionals.

Indians are demonstrating greater curiosity and enthusiasm for the future ahead with 66% of professionals feeling they should know more about AI. This need to appear ‘in the know’ might be stemming from the fact that 65% believe their colleagues are better versed in AI than they are.

The possibilities of AI at work are endless

While the barriers are clear, Indians are optimistic that AI will positively transform their careers with 9 in 10 (98%) saying they are excited to use AI at work (98%) and believe it will help them progress their careers (97%). LinkedIn data shows a 21x global increase in English-language jobs mentioning new generative AI technologies such as ChatGPT, demonstrating that AI could be an important step for those looking to develop their career.

When asked about how they think AI will help move their career forward, 57% of professionals said it will make them more confident at work by giving them faster access to knowledge, while 43% said they’ll get a quicker promotion as they can focus on work that adds more value. Many are already thinking of ways it can help them be more productive, with 79% planning to use AI to solve problems/overcome obstacles at work, 75% saying it will spare them their blushes as they’ll ask AI tools the questions they’re too embarrassed to ask their colleagues, and 74% saying it will take boring tasks off their plates so they can focus on work that excites them the most. Over 7 in 10 professionals (75%) have progression on their mind as they plan to use it for career advice.

Soft skills paired with AI skills are essential for the future

Professionals believe that AI will not only boost their access to the right knowledge and skill sets they need for work, but also spotlight the irreplaceable value of their human skills in career advancement. Professionals in India think skills like problem-solving (77%), communication (76%), and creativity (76%) will become more important as AI tools become more widely used at work. As AI can take away some of the drudgery of their daily jobs, professionals are hoping to have more job satisfaction and lead an improved quality of life. More than half of India’s workforce believes AI can make their jobs easier and therefore increase job satisfaction (55%) and help them achieve greater work-life balance (74%). Professionals are also keen to invest their freed up time in strengthening their professional networks (45%) and learning new skills for their job (48%).

LinkedIn’s India Editorial Lead and Career Expert Nirajita Banerjee says: "This is undoubtedly an era  of change with generative AI gaining more prominence in the workplace. While getting up to speed can be challenging, it is encouraging to see people focus on the positives that AI can bring to their working lives. 9 in 10 (90%) professionals in India believe that AI will be an invisible teammate in the next 5 years and with their time freed up, many are looking to invest in themselves by learning new skills, focusing on more creative and strategic work, and growing their professional network, all which are strong career boosters. It’s also clear that professionals are eager to learn more about AI. We’re seeing a significant increase in conversations on LinkedIn with members already adding AI skills to their profiles but our data also highlights the enormous value of soft skills and how imperative it is for professionals to continue leaning in on the skills they already possess, as we continue to navigate this new tech and changes ahead.”

AI-Advanced or AI-Anxious? LinkedIn’s Career Expert Nirajita Banerjee Advice

Embrace the experts and tap into your network: Reach out to your network to share learnings and stay up to speed on AI by following thought leaders and subject matter experts on LinkedIn, including Puspanjali Sarma, Vaibav Goyal and Amit Kumar Shrivastava.

Sharpen up your soft skills: Don’t underestimate the importance of showcasing your soft skills as AI continues to change the way we work. LinkedIn data in our AI at Work report shows that the skills required for many jobs in India have changed by a staggering 30% since 2015, and with AI accelerating these shifts, people can expect their jobs to change even more quickly, with the skills required for many jobs will change by reaching at least 65% by 2030.The top skills anticipated to be most in demand: problem solving, communication and creativity.

Take advantage of existing tools: Use AI tools already available to you on LinkedIn including collaborative articles — knowledge topics published by LinkedIn with insights and perspectives added by the LinkedIn community. These articles begin as AI-powered conversation starters, developed with our editorial team. Next, with the help of LinkedIn Skills Graph, the team connects each article with subject experts who contribute with their advice and insights. Microsoft’s WorkLab Guides also give helpful tips from how to use AI to dominate your task list to how to make in-person time count for your team.

Acknowledge your AI worries: It’s okay to feel a little nervous or overwhelmed with new technology! People felt similarly when the internet was introduced and it’s important to remember that these changes don’t happen overnight. These are long-term changes and you can do the work to be part of the change, not just be impacted by the change of AI.

Grow your AI skills: Develop your AI skills and stay ahead of the curve. LinkedIn is unlocking the most popular AI courses on Linkedin Learning for free until 15 December, 2023.