Deep-Tech and AI Skills Essential for Future India

Industry experts like Dr. Mashelkar argue that deep-tech and Artificial Intelligence are the critical pillars required to secure India's economic and technological future. The focus must shift toward creating affordable, scalable solutions that address domestic challenges while maintaining global competitiveness. A key hurdle, according to experts, is the existing government procurement policy, which often prioritizes the lowest bidder over genuine innovation, stifling indigenous advancement.

A recent Nasscom report highlights a concerning trend in the labor market: while a significant portion of the Indian workforce claims proficiency in AI, only a fraction qualify as truly AI-native. As routine engineering and development tasks are increasingly automated by AI tools, there is a risk of a decline in deep engineering expertise. The report emphasizes the need for a structural shift in how tech talent is developed and trained to ensure workers move beyond basic automation tools.

Addressing these challenges requires a concerted effort from both the public and private sectors to incentivize R&D and modernize engineering education. Improving the quality of deep engineering skills is essential for India to remain a preferred global technology hub. Moving forward, the industry must focus on moving up the value chain by fostering an ecosystem that values quality and long-term innovation rather than short-term cost savings.