SAS launches Academy for Data & AI Excellence in India to help bridge the country’s growing AI skills gap

The promise of artificial intelligence is no longer confined to research labs or global tech giants. From public services to small enterprises, AI is beginning to influence how India learns, heals, builds, and transacts.

The question today is not whether AI will redefine the world of work, but whether the workforce can keep pace with its rapid evolution.India finds itself at the center of this transformation. A study¹ estimates that the country’s AI market could reach $17 billion by 2027, growing at nearly 25–35% annually. The reports^2,3,4 further highlight India as the world leader in AI skill penetration, with its AI-skilled workforce expanding more than 14 times since 2016⁴. These signals underscore the twin realities of opportunity and urgency: AI adoption is accelerating, and talent readiness must match it.That readiness, however, remains uneven. By 2027, India’s AI sector is expected to create more than 2.3 million job openings, while the available talent pool may reach only about 1.2 million⁵, leaving a gap of over one million professionals, even as enterprises expand AI use across sectors like BFSI, healthcare, manufacturing, and telecom. The gap is sharper in emerging areas like generative AI, where for every ten open roles, there may be only one suitably trained engineer. At present, only 15–20% of India’s workforce⁶ is considered AI-ready, according to industry assessments.

Without sustained investment in structured skills, the country risks slowing the momentum of its digital transformation.This is where the role of specialised academies becomes critical. Beyond technical proficiency, future AI professionals require guided exposure to areas such as decision intelligence, ethical AI, and applied machine learning. Structured programs that blend theoretical foundations with project-based learning and certification pathways can serve as the bridge between rising enterprise demand and a talent pool that is still catching up.Answering this need, SAS has launched the SAS Academy for Data & AI Excellence in India. Designed for students, professionals, and career-switchers, the academy delivers multi-track bootcamps covering domains like Data Engineering, Business Analytics, Decision Intelligence, and Applied AI & ML. Its curriculum integrates GenAI-focused skills, including agentic AI and prompt engineering, delivered by SAS-certified instructors. Participants gain digital credentials, track-level certificates, and eligibility for global certification exams.“The SAS Academy for Data & AI Excellence is a testament to our commitment to fostering a future-ready workforce in India. We understand that true mastery in AI and analytics comes from hands-on application and a deep understanding of ethical considerations. Our programs are meticulously designed to ensure learners gain both the technical prowess and the strategic insights needed to excel in the evolving GenAI landscape,” said Mr. Bhuvan Nijhawan, Senior Director, Education, SAS Asia Pacific.Graduates of the academy will be positioned for high-demand roles ranging from AI Engineers and ML Developers to GenAI Workflow Specialists and Data Analysts. With sector-wide demand intensifying, such initiatives provide both individuals and enterprises with a clear pathway to stay competitive.As India prepares for the next phase of digital growth, investments in AI skills will determine whether the country can truly harness its demographic advantage. The launch of focused academies is not just about filling today’s vacancies; it is about cultivating a workforce ready for the opportunities of tomorrow.References -

Disclaimer: The article has been produced on behalf of SAS Institute (India) Pvt Ltd by the Times Internet's Spotlight team.