Bengaluru, Oct 28 Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday urged IT professionals to continuously upgrade their skills to keep pace with advances in AI and changing industry requirements.
Speaking at the inauguration of RSM US Integrated Services India Private Limited’s new office at Manyata Tech Park in Bengaluru, Priyank, who holds the Home (excluding Intelligence), IT, Biotechnology and E-Governance portfolios, said the rapid adoption of AI had created uncertainty over future job roles and skill requirements.
“AI is one of the most disruptive technologies we have seen, with unprecedented adoption. While its impact on jobs and skill requirements remains uncertain, continuous learning and adaptability will be key to staying relevant to industry and global markets,” he said.
According to a statement issued by his office, Priyank said Karnataka’s adaptable workforce was a key factor in attracting Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and global businesses.
“We have not seen a talent pool as agile as Karnataka’s — one that is ready to unlearn, relearn and be deployed at scale. This is a significant factor in our ability to attract investments. While policy and infrastructure are important, the credit must also go to the talent that continues to contribute to businesses and the economy,” he said.
Priyank cited Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road (ORR), where approximately 800,000 people work along a nine-kilometre stretch, as an example of the state’s concentration of skilled talent.
He said Karnataka would continue to strengthen infrastructure and leverage its talent base to attract investments and support increasingly specialised, high-value business operations.
Priyank further outlined Nipuna Karnataka, the state’s industry-led skilling initiative, under which industry partners identify skill requirements and help design training curricula to prepare professionals for emerging roles.
The government supports eligible training costs, with assistance linked to employability and employment outcomes. The initiative aims to align training with industry needs and improve employment opportunities.
The minister stressed the need for industry to help identify changing workforce requirements as AI and other emerging technologies transform business processes, the statement added.
(PTI News)
