HYDERABAD: The two emerging technologies — Artificial intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)—have put technology experts and data scientists in increasing demand not just abroad but also here. Companies —multi-national corporations (MNCs) as well as start-ups— are ready to pay a minimum of Rs 15 lakh per annum. The pay can go up to even Rs 55 lakh for the exceptionally talented. The job positions range from technical leader in ML and a solutions architect in AI and ML to a data scientist. In spite of several layoffs in the previous quarter, the supply of talent is still short, say stakeholders.
“The supply of experts or freshers in AI and ML is low in Hyderabad because of which the demand is more. Surely, the gap will widen further in the next year, making these jobs lucrative,” said Charan Puvvala, chief technology officer at an AI startup in the UK and based in Hyderabad.When asked about the recent layoffs in the context of AI and ML replacing the current job portfolios, he said companies were terminating the services of those who could not be re-skilled. “I recently concluded a training program for employees of a bank from Africa in Data Science and Machine Learning.
The 90-day program cost them over Rs 3 crore. It shows their interest. MNCs are firing only those who cannot be re-skilled,” Charan noted. Interestingly, many jobs, which require the incumbents to have a Masters degree, have even them pepped up for the job. “The job opportunities have grown exponentially in the AI and ML domains, mostly in the start-ups. They do not give high pay packages as MNCs do but the experience there will help,” said Bhaskar Dhariyal, an M.Tech student of the University of Hyderabad who is specialising in Artificial Intelligence.
Stagnant workforce
According to a recent survey conducted by Manpower Group Employment Outlook, 56 per cent (2,803 out of 5,005) employers in India see a stagnant workforce operating in the final quarter and there are chances of 20 pc hiring in the southern region.