AI Sparks Concern in Creative Fields
Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape industries across India, and while many professionals embrace its potential, a significant number in creative sectors are expressing concern. According to a recent report by Naukri.com titled AI: Friend, Foe or Frenemy, The Unfiltered Truth, 41% of professionals working in advertising and marketing fear that AI could disrupt creativity within their roles.
This anxiety is particularly pronounced in content-driven industries, where originality and human expression remain core to value creation. Over half of respondents working in Animation and VFX (54%) shared concerns about AI’s influence. Similarly, 43% of professionals in film and music echoed fears about the diminishing role of human creativity as AI tools gain traction.
Beyond Job Loss: A Threat to Originality
While much of the global discourse on AI centers around job losses, the Naukri survey suggests a different narrative for India. For many high-earning professionals and those in creative sectors, the primary concern isn’t unemployment—it’s the erosion of authenticity and self-expression in their work. This sentiment reflects a deeper cultural unease about the role AI could play in redefining artistic and creative value.
Despite these concerns, the report reveals that the overall perception of AI remains largely positive among the broader workforce. A striking 86% of surveyed jobseekers view AI as a friend rather than a threat, suggesting that, on balance, Indian professionals are optimistic about AI’s potential to enhance their careers.
AI Job Growth Accelerates Nationwide
Between April and June 2025, Naukri recorded over 35,000 job listings related to AI and machine learning—marking a 38% year-on-year increase. In contrast, traditional non-AI tech roles saw a modest 8% growth over the same period. This surge reflects a growing demand for AI skills across various sectors.
Interestingly, AI-related job growth is no longer restricted to India’s major metropolitan centers. Secondary cities like Indore, Coimbatore, Kochi, and Ahmedabad contributed over 1,500 new AI roles during the quarter. This shift indicates a broader geographic spread of AI opportunities, making advanced tech careers more accessible across the country.
Significant Salary Premiums for AI Skills
The report highlights a substantial wage advantage for professionals equipped with AI capabilities. On average, those with AI-specific skills earn 53% more than their counterparts in similar roles without such expertise. Entry-level workers are seeing the most dramatic impact, with salary premiums of up to 56%. Senior professionals with 13–16 years of experience are also benefiting, with an average 32% increase in compensation for AI-related roles.
These figures underscore AI’s growing influence not just in job availability, but in reshaping compensation patterns across industries. They also emphasize the strategic importance of upskilling to remain competitive in today’s evolving job market.
Sectors Beyond IT Embracing AI
Although the IT industry remains a stronghold for AI hiring, other sectors are catching up rapidly. Banking roles saw a 48% increase in AI-related hiring, while the BPO/ITES sector posted a 39% rise. In accounting and KPO, the demand for AI-trained professionals grew between 49% and 56%. These trends reflect a broadening of AI integration beyond its traditional tech roots into more diverse business functions.
Learning Preferences Shift Toward Hands-On Experience
As AI roles continue to grow, professionals are increasingly seeking practical learning experiences. While 36% of jobseekers want employers to offer free AI courses, a significant portion—especially in IT—prefer project-based learning over traditional classroom instruction. This preference was also observed among professionals in fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), education, retail, and hospitality sectors.
This indicates a shift in how workers wish to engage with new technologies, emphasizing real-world applications and problem-solving over theory-based training. Employers looking to attract top talent may need to adapt their upskilling strategies accordingly.
AI Skills Becoming a Career Differentiator
Pawan Goyal, Chief Business Officer at Naukri.com, highlighted the strategic importance of AI literacy in today’s job market. “AI-linked roles are growing faster, salaries are higher, and demand is rising across industries, not just in IT,” he noted. “Eighty-six percent of jobseekers see AI as a friend, not a threat. Freshers remain anxious, but AI job growth for entry-level roles is up 34%, while senior professionals are seeing the biggest salary premiums. The gap is clear: those with AI skills are moving ahead faster than those in traditional tech roles.”
As AI continues to evolve, professionals across all domains—especially those in creative industries—face a dual challenge: embracing AI’s potential while safeguarding the essence of human creativity. The future will likely demand a balance between technological proficiency and artistic originality.
This article is inspired by content from Original Source. It has been rephrased for originality. Images are credited to the original source.