63% of Indian Managers say AI training will be core team responsibility within five years: Here’s what professionals must do

India stands at the cusp of a workplace revolution, where artificial intelligence is no longer an auxiliary tool but a strategic engine driving transformation across industries. According to the Microsoft 2025 Work Trend Index, in India, 93% of leaders intend to deploy AI agents within the next 12–18 months to expand workforce capabilities, signaling a decisive move toward AI-integrated operations. In this emerging paradigm, organizations are measuring success not just by output, but by the speed, agility, and innovative capacity that human-agent collaboration unlocks, positioning Indian businesses as global pioneers in the AI-powered future of work.

Frontier firms lead the way

India’s most forward-looking organizations, identified by Microsoft as Frontier Firms, are at the forefront of this change. These firms are redesigning operations around human-agent collaboration, using AI not just as a tool but as a core operational partner. The report released by Microsoft highlights that 59% of leaders are already deploying AI agents to automate workflows or business processes across teams, signaling a shift from traditional hierarchies to fluid, adaptive structures. This transformation allows firms to scale efficiently while maintaining agility and purpose.

AI as a strategic imperative

The Work Trend Index findings indicate that Indian business leaders are treating AI as a strategic lever for transformation. The survey found that 90% of leaders consider 2025 a pivotal year to rethink core strategies and operations, the highest percentage globally. Furthermore, 64% are prioritizing productivity gains, and 93% are confident in using digital agents to expand workforce capacity. Together, these numbers underscore that AI adoption in India is not experimental; it is a deliberate, large-scale effort to redefine work.

Skilling for the AI era

The report emphasizes that skilling is central to successful AI integration. 51% of leaders identified upskilling as their top priority over the next 12–18 months, while 63% of managers expect AI training to become a core team responsibility within five years. The focus is not solely on technical proficiency; it extends to building AI fluency, ethical awareness, and cross-functional agility, ensuring seamless collaboration between humans and AI agents across business functions.

India’s workforce is ready

Microsoft’s findings show that 66% of employees and 80% of leaders are already familiar with AI agents, and a majority are prepared to treat AI as both a thought partner and a productivity enhancer. This readiness positions India not just to adapt to technological disruption but to lead the AI-driven future of work. By embracing digital labor, rethinking workflows, and prioritizing skill development, Indian organizations are setting a benchmark for global adoption of AI in the workplace.

Tips for working professionals

As AI reshapes the professional landscape, staying ahead requires more than technical knowledge. Success now hinges on strategic fluency, ethical awareness, and the ability to collaborate seamlessly with AI agents. These tips are designed to help working professionals leverage AI effectively, enhance productivity, and position themselves as indispensable contributors in an AI-powered workplace.