Nearly a Quarter of AI Learners are Not Software Engineers, Says Scaler Report

Artificial intelligence is no longer a skill reserved for software engineers. A new report by AI-native technology company Scaler suggests that professionals from diverse educational and professional backgrounds are increasingly turning to AI to accelerate their careers and improve earning potential.

According to the India AI Workforce Report 2026, based on insights from 11,444 professionals, nearly 25% of AI learners now come from non-technical backgrounds. The report also found that more than half of AI-enabled career outcomes are emerging outside traditional engineering roles, including consulting, marketing, finance, human resources, academia, and leadership positions.

The findings highlight a broader shift in how AI is being adopted across India’s workforce. As organisations integrate AI into everyday operations, professionals are using AI skills to improve productivity and access new career opportunities.

Women are also playing a larger role in this transformation. The report found that women who transitioned into AI-enabled careers reported an average salary increase of 145%, while female quality assurance engineers recorded the highest gains at 574%.

The growth of AI learning is also spreading beyond metropolitan cities. Nearly one in five AI learners now comes from tier-2 cities such as Lucknow, Jaipur, Patna, Indore, Coimbatore, and Nagpur, signalling a wider distribution of AI talent across the country.

Bengaluru continues to lead India’s AI talent landscape accounting for 19% of learners, followed by Pune, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and Chennai.

The report further noted that AI upskilling has delivered significant career benefits with professionals reporting an average salary increase of 147%. Early-career professionals recorded the highest growth, with salaries increasing by an average of 155% after acquiring AI skills.

Commenting on the report, Abhimanyu Saxena, Co-founder at InterviewBit and Scaler, said that India’s AI talent story is becoming more inclusive and distributed. He added that while discussions around AI often focus on job displacement, the findings suggest that AI is creating new opportunities for professionals willing to adapt and learn new skills.