AI is no longer just for the IT industry. It is now being used in several other fields like manufacturing, banking, and marketing. This implies that professionals in all industries must learn AI skills to stay relevant.
A recent study shows that in 2024, India had around 12 lakh AI-related job openings, but there were not enough skilled people to fill them. This clearly shows that many professionals need to upskill or reskill in 2025 to take advantage of these opportunities.
According to the World Economic Forum, by 2030, nearly 39% of the important skills needed for jobs today will be different or replaced by new skills. This is largely happening because AI and automation are changing how work is done. As a result, now companies need employees with new skills to handle these changes.
Don’t you think it is a sign that continuous learning is important to stay relevant in the job market? In this article, let’s gain more clarity and see how Indian working professionals can take full advantage of AI.
3 Key skills to develop in 2025
To stay competitive, professionals must learn both technical and soft skills. Your prime focus should be on learning:
- Technical concepts that let you understand how AI works
- Human-centric and soft skills that let you use AI smartly in your job
Let’s check out the three key skill areas you need to focus on:
1. Technical skills
Technical skills are the foundation for working with AI. This segment covers the following main areas:
| Technical areas | Importance |
| Machine learning | Machine learning helps computers learn from data and make predictions. |
| Natural language processing (NLP) | NLP allows AI to understand and process human language (like chatbots and voice assistants). |
| Robotics | Robotics is about designing and using AI-powered machines. |
| Data Analytics | Data analytics helps businesses make better decisions by analysing large amounts of data. |
Even if you are not a programmer, understanding these concepts will help you work with AI-powered tools in your field.
2. Human-centric skills
Always remember that AI is a tool. As a professional, you need to guide it using prompts. Thus, apart from technical knowledge, human skills are also important when working with AI.
This segment covers the following areas:
| Human-centric areas | Importance |
| Analytical thinking | It allows you to better interpret AI-generated data and insights. |
| Problem-solving | It enables you to find creative AI-based solutions for various business challenges arising in your job. |
| Adaptability | It allows you to quickly learn and easily adjust to new AI tools and technologies. |
| Communication | It helps you explain AI results and strategies clearly to teams and clients who may not have technical knowledge. |
3. Soft skills
Soft skills apply to any industry, not just AI. As AI automates repetitive tasks, nowadays employers are looking for people who have these soft skills:
| Soft skills to develop | Importance |
| Critical thinking | It helps you to analyse information and make smart choices |
| Creativity | AI is good at processing data and doing calculations, but it cannot think creatively like humans. Thus, human creativity is always needed to develop new solutions and strategies. |
| Decision-making | It helps you use AI insights to make the right choices while executing tasks in your job. |
Moving forward, these skills will become more important because AI will take over routine work. During these times, companies will need people who can think beyond automation!
How to upskill in AI
To successfully learn and use AI, professionals need the right learning strategies. Since AI is a growing field, just reading about it is not enough! Instead, you will need:
- Hands-on practice
- Structured courses
- Exposure to real-world projects
Below are some smart ways to upskill in AI and stay competitive in the job market:
1. Go for online learning platforms
Several platforms offer AI courses that provide self-paced learning. This allows you to study at your own speed. Additionally,
- If you are a beginner, they start with basic AI concepts.
- Whereas, if you already know some AI, they offer advanced courses
The courses also include videos, quizzes, and projects to help you understand AI practically. Since they are online, you can learn from anywhere. This makes upskilling easier while working.
2. Get hands-on training
Just learning AI theory is not enough. You will need practical experience to understand how AI works in real life. This can be achieved by gaining hands-on training, which includes:
- Virtual labs: They let you practice AI coding in a safe environment.
- Simulations: They create real-world situations where you can apply AI skills.
- Hackathons: They are competitions where you solve AI-related problems.
- Real-world projects: They help you gain practical experience by working on actual AI solutions.
These activities let you apply AI knowledge and build confidence in using AI tools strategically at your job.
3. Opt for cross-functional training
AI is used in many business segments. Thus, you as a professional must learn how to work with different departments. Cross-functional training means collaborating with teams from different fields (like marketing, finance, and operations). This helps you understand how AI can be used in various areas.
For example,
- Say an AI expert in an NBFC can work with financial analysts to improve fraud detection using AI.
- Similarly, a marketing team can use AI to personalise customer experiences.
By learning from different departments, you can develop new ideas and solve problems more creatively using AI.
Conclusion
As a professional, you can get a competitive edge in 2025 (and beyond), by learning and using AI. To access better job opportunities or gain promotions, you should develop these three primary skills:
- Technical skills
- Human-centric skills
- Soft skills
Always remember that learning AI isn’t just about coding. Instead, it is about understanding how AI tools work and practically using AI-generated insights while working.
To support your AI learning, you can consider purchasing AI-powered gadgets like laptops and smart assistants from online marketplaces (often at heavy discounts).