New Delhi, April 29 -- Indian IT services firm LTIMindtree on Tuesday announced a collaboration with the Indian Institute of Management (IIM)-Mumbai to launch a programme in Artificial Intelligence (AI)-led experience design aimed at mid-level executives.

This one-year programme aims to equip professionals with skills in customer experience (CX) design through AI addressing the demand for AI-driven experience design, integrating advanced CX concepts with strategic business acumen.

Venu Lambu, CEO (Designate) and Wholetime Director, LTIMindtree. "By combining LTIMindtree's deep industry insights with IIM Mumbai's academic excellence, this program empowers professionals to redefine customer experience in an AI-driven world. It is a significant milestone in shaping the future of CX design and its transformative impact on businesses globally."

This initiative reflects the broader trend of Indian IT companies investing in AI skilling to maintain competitiveness. Most of them now offer comprehensive training programs in areas like machine learning, natural language processing, and data science. These programs involve online courses, workshops, and collaborations with academic institutions such as IITs and IIMs as well as AI startups.

For example, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) provides AI-centric programmes such as 'AI for Business' and 'Data Science and AI' via its internal learning platform, TCS iON, and partners with institutions like IITs for AI research and skill enhancement. Infosys delivers AI education through its 'Infosys Knowledge Institute' and 'Infosys Springboard' platforms, addressing subjects such as machine learning, deep learning, and natural language processing.

Tech Mahindra presents AI skill development initiatives like 'Mahindra Rise' and 'Tech Mahindra's AI Academy', concentrating on fields such as data science, machine learning, and AI engineering. HCLTech offers AI training through its 'HCLTech Digital Academy' and 'HCLTech AI Studio', emphasising the cultivation of skills in AI, machine learning, and data analytics. Wipro provides AI-oriented training programs like 'Wipro's AI Academy' and 'Holmes', its AI platform, which allows employees to enhance their skills in machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision.

However, despite these efforts, a Mercer-Mettl report published in February indicates a skills gap among Indian graduates, with employability declining from 44.3% in 2023 to 42.6%. Kashyap Kompella, chief executive officer at RPA2AI Research believes the challenge also lies in the discrepancy between employer needs and graduate skills, particularly in non-technical areas such as communication, problem-solving, and creativity, alongside high demand for AI and data analytics.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from TechCircle.