The Crossbill Team
The influence of artificial intelligence (AI) on the engineering profession in India is growing rapidly, according to a new survey conducted by edtech company Great Learning, released in conjunction with Engineers’ Day.
The survey reveals that 67 per cent of engineers believe their roles are already evolving due to AI, while 86 per cent feel that upskilling has become essential to remain relevant in the fast-changing technological landscape.
The study shows that 85 per cent of engineers plan to upskill in the financial year 2026, with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning topping the list of preferred areas. Other popular domains include data science and analytics, software development, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.
Within the AI and ML segments, skills such as generative AI, agentic AI, Python, and Natural Language Processing (NLP) have emerged as the most in-demand.
Career growth remains the strongest motivator for upskilling. Engineers cited financial growth (20 per cent), promotions (12 per cent), new opportunities (12 per cent), and staying relevant amid rapid disruption (11 per cent) as their primary drivers.
In terms of learning preferences, 66 per cent of engineers favour short-term courses lasting less than six months, while only 5 per cent are willing to commit to programs extending over a year. The majority are gravitating toward certificate programs offered by Indian and global universities rather than traditional postgraduate degrees, signaling a shift toward more agile, job-ready training options.
The survey also highlights growing career fluidity within the engineering sector. Nearly 85 per cent of engineers are either actively or passively seeking job changes in 2025, with key workplace concerns focusing on work-life balance (33 per cent), job security (18 per cent), and career stagnation (14 per cent).
Speaking to The Indian Express, aerospace professional Maruti Rao Taluru commented on the importance of continuous learning, stating, “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 threshold of an AI-driven future, the survey underscores that engineers are not merely 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 computing, alongside a preference for industry-focused certificate programs, Indian engineers are positioning themselves as the backbone of the country’s technological transformation.
This collective commitment to continuous learning and adaptability reinforces the pivotal role engineers will play in driving innovation, competitiveness, and long-term economic growth in the years ahead.
The survey reveals that 67 per cent of engineers believe their roles are already evolving due to AI, while 86 per cent feel that upskilling has become essential to remain relevant in the fast-changing technological landscape.
The study shows that 85 per cent of engineers plan to upskill in the financial year 2026, with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning topping the list of preferred areas. Other popular domains include data science and analytics, software development, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.
Within the AI and ML segments, skills such as generative AI, agentic AI, Python, and Natural Language Processing (NLP) have emerged as the most in-demand.
Career growth remains the strongest motivator for upskilling. Engineers cited financial growth (20 per cent), promotions (12 per cent), new opportunities (12 per cent), and staying relevant amid rapid disruption (11 per cent) as their primary drivers.
In terms of learning preferences, 66 per cent of engineers favour short-term courses lasting less than six months, while only 5 per cent are willing to commit to programs extending over a year. The majority are gravitating toward certificate programs offered by Indian and global universities rather than traditional postgraduate degrees, signaling a shift toward more agile, job-ready training options.
The survey also highlights growing career fluidity within the engineering sector. Nearly 85 per cent of engineers are either actively or passively seeking job changes in 2025, with key workplace concerns focusing on work-life balance (33 per cent), job security (18 per cent), and career stagnation (14 per cent).
Speaking to The Indian Express, aerospace professional Maruti Rao Taluru commented on the importance of continuous learning, stating, “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 threshold of an AI-driven future, the survey underscores that engineers are not merely 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 computing, alongside a preference for industry-focused certificate programs, Indian engineers are positioning themselves as the backbone of the country’s technological transformation.
This collective commitment to continuous learning and adaptability reinforces the pivotal role engineers will play in driving innovation, competitiveness, and long-term economic growth in the years ahead.
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