Page 38 - The Indian EYE 071026

The Indian Eye
BUSINESS & TRADE 38
JULY 10, 2026

How AI is emerging as a growth

engine for India’s economy and skills

From creating new jobs and boosting exports to transforming industries, artificial intelligence

is increasingly being viewed as an opportunity rather than a threat for India’s economic future.

OUR BUREAU India’s public relations industry,
for example, expects AI to become a
New Delhi / Mumbai
major growth driver over the coming
rtificial intelligence (AI) is rap- years. According to the Public Rela-
idly reshaping India’s economy, tions Consultants Association of In-
Awith fresh studies and industry dia (PRCAI), the sector is projected
assessments suggesting that the tech- to grow to Rs 4,500 crore by 2030
nology is creating new employment from Rs 3,230 crore in FY26.
opportunities, driving business inno- AI investment across the indus-
vation and helping companies move try has already increased from just 2
up the value chain instead of simply per cent of revenues three years ago
replacing workers. to 7 per cent in 2026 and is expected
While concerns over automation to reach 10 per cent within the next
and job displacement continue to three years.
dominate global debates, the emerg- Research, intelligence gathering,
ing narrative in India is more optimis- content creation and meeting sum-
tic. Technology leaders, economists marisation are among the most com-
and industry bodies argue that AI’s mon AI applications, allowing firms
biggest impact could be improving to improve efficiency while enabling
productivity, creating new categories Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly attends Kanuni’s India debut and AI cricket innovation professionals to focus on strategic
of jobs and enabling Indian compa- showcase at the Jio World Convention Centre recently in Mumbai (ANI) advisory roles.
nies to remain globally competitive “PRCAI SPRINT 2026 reveals
in an increasingly digital economy. that there is no longer a single sto-
“Employees need the skills and across India’s IT sector.
confidence to make AI part of how “There is a lot of pivoting, there ry defining the Indian PR industry,”
said PRCAI President Kunal Kishore.
A new LinkedIn survey illus- they work every day, which is why is a lot of restrategising that all the “The profession must sharpen its stra-
trates the pace of this trans- closer collaboration between CTOs firms will need to do. But this panic tegic capabilities, adopt emerging
and talent leaders has become essen-
and paranoia about massive job loss-
formation. According to the tial,” he said. es is something which I think is at this technologies responsibly, and rein-
force its role as a trusted business
The report also found that 92 per
report, 79 per cent of Indi- cent of executives believe continuous stage and time,” Mishra said. partner.”
His assessment is supported by
PRCAI Chief Executive Officer
an Chief Technology Officers skill-building is essential, while 93 India’s robust services exports, which Deeptie Sethi added that AI is help-
(CTOs) believe AI is creating per cent said their primary respon- continue to expand despite rapid ing transform public relations into a
technological advances.
sibility is now helping organisations
entirely new roles that did not prepare for the future of work. “Even in the month of April, ser- broader strategic business function
rather than simply a communica-
That shift is encouraging compa-
exist just a few years ago. At nies to invest heavily in employee de- vices export growth was 15 per cent tions service.
in dollar terms. So it is growing faster
Experts caution that AI’s ben-
the same time, 84 per cent say velopment. More than half of tech- than GDP,” Mishra noted. efits will depend on responsible
Instead of shrinking opportu-
their responsibilities are being nology leaders surveyed identified nities, AI appears to be changing implementation. LinkedIn’s report
stronger collaboration between tech-
redefined in real time as busi- nology and human resources depart- where value is created. found that 81 per cent of executives
face pressure to deploy AI faster
Mishra said Indian IT compa-
nesses accelerate technology ments as the key to building an AI- nies would need to reskill workers than they can effectively measure its
ready workforce. Nearly 89 per cent
adoption. already report working closely with and rethink their business strategies impact, while maintaining employee
HR teams to manage the transition. as some traditional outsourced work trust has become one of the biggest
The findings suggest that AI is Economists believe these devel- shifts to in-house technology teams. leadership challenges.
changing the nature of work rather opments could strengthen India’s However, he expects fresh oppor- The PR industry also highlight-
than simply eliminating it. position as one of the world’s leading tunities to emerge in higher-value ed concerns over AI-generated mis-
“As AI adoption moves from ex- digital services hubs. functions including product design, information and deepfakes, with 80
perimentation to scale, success de- Neelkanth Mishra, Executive user interface (UI), user experience per cent of respondents identifying
pends as much on people as it does Director-designate at the World (UX), software deployment and them as significant reputational risks
on technology,” said Malai Laksh- Bank and Chief Economist at Axis AI-enabled services. and 85 per cent expecting formal AI
manan, Head of India Engineering Bank, dismissed fears that AI would The benefits are extending well governance frameworks to become
at LinkedIn. trigger widespread unemployment beyond the IT sector. mandatory.

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