AI Already Performs 37% of Entry-Level Tasks in India, Cognizant-Pearson Study Finds

Artificial intelligence is already performing 37% of entry-level tasks in India, higher than the global average of 33%, according to a joint study released by Cognizant and Pearson on June 18.

The report, titled The AI Workforce Pulse: The Adaptability Imperative, surveyed 750 HR leaders across India, the United States and the United Kingdom. It found that 18% of HR leaders in India said AI now handles half or more of entry-level work.

The study suggests that entry-level roles are shifting from task execution to supervising and working alongside AI systems. Nearly all respondents (96%) expect entry-level jobs to evolve into roles that involve managing AI systems within the next five years, while 94% believe AI will create new entry-level positions that do not exist today.

The report also found that 98% of HR professionals are increasing their focus on AI skills, including for non-technical roles. Employees are increasingly expected to validate AI outputs, interpret results and apply human judgment.

“India is at the forefront of how AI is transforming entry-level work, with organisations already embedding AI into day-to-day operations at scale,” said Rajesh Varrier, Managing Director, Cognizant India. “We are seeing a fundamental redesign of roles, where early-career talent is expected to work alongside AI and focus on higher-value outcomes.”

The findings also point to a growing emphasis on human and interdisciplinary skills. Nearly all respondents (97%) said soft skills have become more important as AI automates routine work. About 69% of HR leaders globally and 65% in India said broad, interdisciplinary backgrounds are now more valuable for early-career talent than highly specialised degrees.

In addition, two-thirds of respondents said they value liberal arts degrees more than they did before the rise of AI.

While demand for AI skills is increasing, organisations continue to face challenges in workforce preparation. The study found that 91% of HR professionals reported increased employee demand for AI training over the past year, while 60% said their learning and development programs are unable to keep pace with the rate of change.

In India, 63% of organisations have allocated time for AI training, compared with 49% in the United States. However, 61% reported difficulties finding talent with the required skills.

The report also highlighted the role of middle managers in AI adoption. About 95% of HR leaders said middle managers are critical to helping employees use AI effectively, while 92% said they play a key role in redefining jobs as AI reshapes workplace responsibilities.

“AI is reshaping the talent landscape and exposing the limits of traditional talent and learning models,” said Kathy Diaz, Chief People Officer, Cognizant. “With the fundamental shift in entry-level tasks and skill requirements changing rapidly, organisations must rethink how they hire and develop talent at pace.”

The survey was conducted by Wakefield Research between March 23 and April 3, 2026, among HR professionals at the director level and above from companies employing at least 1,000 people across India, the US and the UK.