Mid-career Indians lead AI upskilling for career growth: Indeed report

The Indian workplace is undergoing a profound transformation as artificial intelligence moves beyond mere hype to become an integral part of professional life. Indian professionals are proactively adapting to this rapidly evolving landscape, with many viewing AI as a crucial catalyst for career progression. A new ‘Work Ahead’ report from Indeed reveals a striking trend: it is mid-career professionals, rather than their younger counterparts, who are spearheading the charge in AI upskilling.

The comprehensive survey, conducted by Censuswide in May 2025, gathered insights from over 3,000 white- and blue-collar workers across 12 industries in India. A significant 43 percent expressed confidence in the AI technologies they anticipate using within the next two to five years, specifically citing generative AI and agentic AI. Far from seeing AI solely as a productivity tool, many respondents believe it can unlock higher salaries, promotions, and entirely new career avenues. This burgeoning confidence signals a pivotal shift in the workforce. Sashi Kumar, head of sales at Indeed India, noted this determined spirit, highlighting that mid-career professionals are not only leveraging AI but are actively pursuing learning opportunities to master it. He added that the growing interest in agentic AI suggests a foundational transformation is underway, where job seekers are becoming agents of change rather than simply reacting to it.

While a substantial portion of the workforce feels prepared, nearly one-third of professionals expressed concerns about job security if they fail to keep pace with these swift technological advancements. Surprisingly, the report counters the conventional wisdom that digital adoption is primarily driven by younger generations. Mid-career professionals, aged between 35 and 54, are at the forefront of the AI upskilling movement. Approximately half, 49 percent, of this age group feel confident navigating AI-integrated workplaces, starkly contrasting with just 36 percent of those aged 18 to 24. Furthermore, a notable 56 percent of mid-career workers are actively seeking more training, significantly outperforming the 41 percent of younger professionals who expressed similar interest. Their motivations for embracing AI are clear: 42 percent aim to advance their careers, 39 percent seek to remain current with emerging technologies, and 38 percent wish to enhance their workplace efficiency. For the vast majority, AI upskilling is a strategic move to ensure long-term career relevance.

Indeed’s report underscores that AI is no longer an optional tool but an essential component of the modern Indian workplace. About one in three professionals expects to frequently utilize generative AI in the coming years, while one in four is actively working towards adopting agentic AI. Much like email, cloud storage, and various learning platforms, AI tools are rapidly becoming indispensable. This adoption extends beyond traditional white-collar roles; two out of every ten blue-collar workers are already leveraging generative AI for tasks such as streamlining paperwork, managing workflows, and improving customer interactions. A compelling 72 percent of blue-collar workers acknowledge the beneficial impact of technology in their roles, indicating a widespread boost in confidence across diverse sectors.

Despite this growing enthusiasm for upskilling, significant barriers persist. Four out of ten workers cited a lack of dedicated learning time as a major obstacle, while 33 percent pointed to insufficient hands-on support. Additionally, 26 percent admitted to a fear of making mistakes, and 24 percent struggled with accessing appropriate training resources. To overcome these hurdles, employees are vocal about their needs. They desire user-friendly and well-documented tools (32 percent), dedicated learning time during working hours (31 percent), low-pressure environments for experimentation (30 percent), and flexible, self-paced online training options (29 percent). The report also highlights a disparity in formal training access: while approximately 90 percent of workers feel competent using workplace technologies, only 38 percent of blue-collar professionals reported receiving company-provided training. Many in this group often rely on colleagues for guidance or grapple with non-intuitive tools, underscoring the critical need for equitable and accessible employer-led training initiatives.