Archive · 25 Aug 2026
India’s AI Use Surges, but Building Skills Lags
Many people in India are already using AI tools.
However, far fewer people are building their own AI applications or automated systems.
This means using AI is becoming more common than understanding how to create with it.
Businesses say they need more people with AI, digital and data skills.
Manish Gupta believes children should learn about technology through curiosity and problem-solving.
He says coding, robotics and AI can be introduced in age-appropriate ways without replacing regular studies.
Future workers may need technical skills as well as creativity, teamwork and critical thinking.
The main goal is to help people use AI to solve real-world problems.
A reported 94% of respondents in India already use AI, but only 20% have built an AI-powered application, agent or automation.
The 2026 SHRM India report says 45% of Indian firms see AI, digital and data skills as a major gap.
LinkedIn’s AI Skill Penetration Index gives India a score of 3.0, though resume mentions do not necessarily show application-building ability.
Manish Gupta says students need practical experience with data, software and technologies, not just prompting tools.
Some 87% of respondents are pursuing, exploring or planning AI upskilling as India shifts from adoption toward capability building.
- Who
- Indian AI users, businesses, students and learners; Manish Gupta of Jalsa Ventures’ SHARD Centre of Innovation provided comments.
- What
- India is experiencing widespread AI use but a gap in the ability to build AI applications, agents and automations.
- When
- The article cites a 2026 SHRM India report; other timing is not specified.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- Organisations are adopting more sophisticated AI systems and need people with deeper technical and problem-solving capabilities.
- AI usage
- 94% of respondents already use AI.
- AI builders
- 20% have built an AI-powered application, agent or automation.
- Upskilling interest
- 87% are pursuing, exploring or planning AI upskilling.
- Reported business skills gap
- 45% of Indian firms identify AI, digital and data skills as a major gap, according to a 2026 SHRM India report.
- India’s AI Skill Penetration Index
- LinkedIn gives India a score of 3.0, meaning AI skills appear on Indian professionals’ resumes three times as frequently as the global average.
- Suggested learning areas
- Artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics, data science, drones, the Internet of Things and 3D printing.