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Journalism of Courage
The impact of artificial intelligence on the engineering profession in India is increasing, reveals a new survey by edtech company Great Learning, released as part of Engineers’ Day. According to the findings, 67 per cent of engineers believe their roles are already evolving due to AI, while 86 per cent say upskilling has become essential to remain relevant in the fast-changing tech landscape.
The survey highlights that 85 per cent of engineers plan to upskill in the financial year 2026, with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning leading the list of preferred domains. Other sought-after areas include data science and analytics, software development, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. Within AI and ML, skills including generative AI, agentic AI, Python, and Natural Language Processing (NLP) have emerged as the most in-demand.
Career growth continues to be the strongest motivation for upskilling. Engineers cited financial growth (20 per cent), promotions (12 per cent), new opportunities (12 per cent), and staying relevant in the face of rapid disruption (11 per cent) as key drivers.
When it comes to learning formats, 66 per cent of engineers prefer short-term courses of less than six months, while just 5 per cent are willing to invest more than a year. The majority are opting for certificate programmes offered by Indian and global universities over traditional postgraduate degrees, signaling a shift toward faster, job-ready training.
The survey also points to rising career fluidity in the sector. Nearly 85 per cent of engineers are either actively or passively seeking job changes this year, with workplace concerns centering on work-life balance (33 per cent), job security (18 per cent), and career stagnation (14 per cent).
Speaking on the importance of continuous learning, aerospace professional Maruti Rao Taluru said, “Working in the aerospace industry has shown me first-hand how quickly technology is transforming the world. That’s why I decided to invest in AI and ML. These skills are reshaping not just aerospace but every sector. For future engineers, my advice is to build strong fundamentals while nurturing curiosity, resilience, and adaptability.”
Hari Krishnan Nair, Co-Founder of Great Learning, added, “Being an engineer today is vastly different from two decades ago. Engineers are at the forefront of the massive shifts brought about by AI and emerging technologies. At Great Learning, more than half of our learners come from engineering backgrounds — a testament to how this community is embracing lifelong learning. By mastering next-generation skills, engineers are preparing not just for their own careers but also for driving India’s progress into a decade defined by deep tech and innovation.”
As India stands on the cusp of an AI-driven future, the survey underscores that engineers are not only aware of the disruptions reshaping their profession but are actively preparing to thrive in this new reality. With a clear focus on upskilling in next-generation domains such as AI, ML, data, and cloud, coupled with a preference for agile, industry-focused certificate programs, engineers are positioning themselves as the backbone of the country’s tech transformation. This collective commitment to continuous learning and adaptability highlights the pivotal role Indian engineers will play in shaping innovation, competitiveness, and long-term economic growth in the years ahead.
