Cognizant Released a Study on the Future of Entry-Level Work in India

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming India’s workforce at an accelerated pace, with more than one-third of entry-level tasks already being handled by AI systems, according to a new study released by Cognizant and Pearson.

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The report, titled as The AI Workforce Pulse: The Adaptability Imperative, the study surveyed 750 HR leaders across India, the United States, and the United Kingdom to understand how AI is reshaping jobs, skills, and workforce development.

The findings reveal that 37% of entry-level tasks in India are already being performed by AI, compared to the global average of 33%. Additionally, 18% of HR leaders reported that AI now handles half or more of entry-level work within their organizations, highlighting the growing impact of automation on one of the largest segments of the workforce.

Entry-Level Roles Are Evolving Rapidly

Rather than eliminating jobs outright, AI is changing the nature of work. The study found that organizations are increasingly shifting entry-level employees away from routine task execution and toward roles that involve supervising, managing, and working alongside AI systems.

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Nearly all respondents (96%) expect entry-level roles to evolve into AI-supervision positions within the next five years, while 94% believe AI will create entirely new entry-level jobs that do not exist today.

Employees are increasingly expected to validate AI-generated outputs, interpret results, apply human judgment, and ensure responsible use of technology.

The transition is already visible in India, where 80% of organizations reported that AI is enabling employees to focus on higher-value and more strategic work, slightly ahead of the global average of 77%.

Human Skills Becoming More Valuable

As AI takes over repetitive and process-driven tasks, organizations are placing greater emphasis on uniquely human capabilities. The study found that 97% of HR leaders believe soft skills such as critical thinking, adaptability, communication, and problem-solving are now more important than ever.

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The growing importance of interdisciplinary learning was also highlighted. Around 69% of HR professionals globally said broad-based educational backgrounds are becoming more valuable for early-career talent than narrowly specialized qualifications. In India, 65% of HR leaders shared the same view.

Furthermore, 91% of organizations in India reported placing greater value on AI-related skills even for non-technical roles, indicating that AI literacy is becoming a core workplace competency across functions.

AI Skills Demand Outpacing Training Efforts

The study also points to a widening gap between the demand for AI skills and organizational readiness. About 91% of HR professionals reported increased employee demand for AI training over the past year.

However, 63% of organizations in India said their learning and development programs are struggling to keep pace with the speed at which AI is transforming jobs and skill requirements.

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While 63% of Indian organizations have allocated dedicated time for AI learning—higher than the 49% reported in the United States—many employers continue to face talent shortages.

Around 61% of organizations in India said they are finding it difficult to recruit candidates with the right mix of technical and human skills required in an AI-driven environment.

Middle Managers Emerging as AI Champions

The report underscores the critical role of middle managers in driving AI adoption. According to the findings, 95% of HR leaders believe middle managers are essential to ensuring employees use AI effectively, while 92% say they play a key role in redefining jobs and workflows as AI becomes embedded in day-to-day operations.

Commenting on the findings, Rajesh Varrier said that India is at the forefront of AI-led workforce transformation, emphasizing the need for large-scale reskilling and stronger managerial capabilities.

Meanwhile, Kathy Diaz noted that organizations must rethink traditional hiring and learning models to keep pace with rapidly changing skill requirements.

The study reinforces a broader trend across industries: while AI is automating routine tasks, it is also creating new opportunities, redefining career paths, and increasing the importance of continuous learning. For employers and employees alike, adaptability is emerging as the defining skill of the AI era.

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