Scaler Launches FDE Programme to Train 10,000 Enterprise AI Engineers

Scaler has launched a Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) Specialization and committed ₹25 crore to train 10,000 engineers for enterprise AI deployment roles.

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The programme is aimed at addressing the growing demand for professionals who can move AI systems from development and pilots into real business environments.

The company said demand for Forward Deployed Engineers has grown 729% year-on-year, with companies including OpenAI, Google Cloud, Anthropic, Palantir, Databricks, McKinsey & Company and BCG expanding teams around the function.

The role combines AI engineering with enterprise integration, business understanding and stakeholder management.

₹25 Crore Investment in AI Talent

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Scaler will invest ₹25 crore over the next year in curriculum development, AI infrastructure, industry partnerships and learner support.

FDE Programme aims to create a large talent pipeline for enterprise AI deployment in India.

Also Read: PwC India, SAP India Launch 18-Month Skill Programme for Engineering Students

The initiative is particularly relevant as Global Capability Centres (GCCs), IT services companies and global technology firms are increasingly deploying AI across enterprise workflows in India.

Scaler said engineers with the required combination of technical and business skills remain in short supply.

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What Will FDEs Do?

Unlike traditional software engineers, Forward Deployed Engineers work directly on deploying technology in enterprise environments.

They may work across the company’s and customer’s systems while dealing with business requirements, data, security and integration challenges.

Scaler’s 7.5-month FDE Specialization covers AI and LLM engineering, backend and full-stack development, cloud, enterprise integration, system design and security.

Learners will also work on projects involving Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), Agentic AI and AI deployment workflows.

AI Skills Gap Remains a Challenge

Scaler’s Confidence-Capability Gap Report, conducted with CyberMedia Research, found that 89% of engineers believe they are AI-ready, while only 19% are actively building AI systems.

The company said this points to a gap between AI familiarity and the ability to implement AI in real-world enterprise settings.

Amar Srivastava, CEO-Online & Group CPO, Scaler, said the next phase of AI will focus increasingly on making AI systems work inside real businesses, where companies have different systems, data and ways of working.

The FDE Programme comes as the role of Forward Deployed Engineers gains attention across the technology industry, with companies such as OpenAI, Google Cloud, Anthropic, Palantir and Databricks expanding teams around enterprise AI deployment.