AI skills are becoming essential for students and professionals as artificial intelligence continues to reshape the global job market. In a recent webinar hosted by Microsoft and YourStory, leaders from law, education, corporate responsibility, and public policy came together to discuss how India’s student population can prepare for an AI-powered future.
The panel included Paritosh Segal, Co-founder of NavSahyog Foundation; Rumi Mallick Mitra, Global Head of CSR and Sustainability at EY GDS; Aditi Jha, Board Director and Head of Legal and Government Affairs at LinkedIn; and moderator Gunjan Patel, Director, Skills for Social Impact at Microsoft Philanthropies. The discussion focused on building digital literacy, promoting soft skills, and ensuring inclusive access to AI education across India.
Building a Passport to AI Literacy
Rumi Mitra opened the discussion by pointing out a sharp rise in AI-related job openings. LinkedIn data shows that AI is now mentioned in over 2,000% more job postings than before. However, India’s education system hasn’t fully caught up, and students often feel unprepared for these evolving roles.
To bridge this gap, EY launched the AI Skills Passport, a 10-hour hybrid course designed to help college students, job seekers, and vocational learners understand both the technical and ethical aspects of AI. The program also includes real-world case studies and builds critical thinking. It is especially aimed at improving accessibility in both urban and rural settings.
The Soft Skills Advantage
Aditi Jha from LinkedIn highlighted the shift in hiring trends. Their data shows that 70% of job-related skills will change by 2030. “Even if you’re not changing your job, your job is changing around you,” she said. The growing demand for AI skills (rising 30% annually) isn’t matched by talent supply (growing only 16%), creating a serious gap.
Jha emphasized the need to move from experience-based hiring to skill-based hiring. She also warned against thinking of AI as only a tech skill. “AI is becoming a general-purpose tool—just like email. You don’t need to be an engineer to use it effectively,” she explained.
She also stressed the rising importance of soft skills—communication, leadership, empathy, and resilience. In India, these aren’t taught consistently in early education, but they will become key differentiators in the AI era.
Rural India and the Digital Divide
Paritosh Segal brought in the rural perspective, sharing how his foundation works with over 9,000 children across 300 villages in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Nagaland. About 65% of Indian youth live in rural areas, where access to quality education and digital tools remains a challenge.
He believes soft skills are even more important in rural communities. Without them, young people often fall into low-value jobs and struggle to grow professionally. According to Segal, AI could help level the field—if students are trained not just in tech but in life skills. “With the right support, kids from any background can thrive in an AI-driven world,” he said.
Closing the Gender Gap in AI
The panel also addressed the low representation of women in AI. According to LinkedIn, only 22% of AI professionals globally are women. The rest—78%—are men. Rumi Mitra noted that many girls are discouraged from pursuing tech due to outdated ideas about what’s “too technical” for them.
Jha suggested immediate solutions like targeting current engineering students, upskilling female educators, and supporting women’s participation in AI at all levels. Interestingly, LinkedIn data shows that women outperform men by 28% in soft skill proficiency—another reason to push for more inclusive skilling efforts.
A Future That’s Both Smart and Human
The webinar ended with a strong message: India’s students must be prepared not just to use AI but to thrive alongside it. That means building AI skills, yes—but also fostering empathy, leadership, and a mindset of lifelong learning.
AI may power the tools of tomorrow, but it’s the human skills that will shape the future.
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