Deloitte plans to hire 50,000 professionals in India as part of its expansion strategy, even as global companies reassess workforce structures amid the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence.
The hiring push will be aligned with a sharper focus on AI and emerging technologies, with the firm indicating that the objective is to deepen capabilities rather than trim headcount. In an interview with PTI, South Asia COO Nitin Kini said Deloitte does not view AI as a tool to “disintermediate” layers of the workforce, but rather to unlock efficiencies.
“I do not think job losses are the way. It is about upskilling and making sure that we can solve higher-order value problems with emerging tech,” Kini said.
The company has already trained around 30,000 employees in AI and is gradually shifting more of its workforce to internal platforms. It is also scaling up structured training programmes to support this transition.
India continues to remain a key talent hub for the firm, accounting for nearly one-third of its global workforce.
Upskilling, not layoffs
Amid concerns over AI-led job cuts, Kini underscored that the focus should remain on upskilling rather than workforce reduction. He said emerging technologies are being deployed to improve efficiency and enable employees to take on more advanced roles.
The firm is investing about 9% of its revenue in capability building, training, and innovation, signalling a long-term commitment to workforce development.
At the same time, Indian enterprises—including public sector units and large conglomerates—remain cautious in their AI adoption strategies. Key concerns include data security and the cost of scaling AI solutions.
Companies are particularly wary of ensuring that sensitive data remains within controlled environments. Additionally, usage-based pricing models for AI tools have raised concerns over cost predictability at scale.
Kini said India needs to advance AI capabilities alongside cybersecurity, rather than treating them as separate priorities. He likened the approach to balancing performance with safety, stressing the importance of building robust systems while driving innovation.
As part of its broader technology roadmap, Deloitte is also planning new initiatives, including setting up a Quantum Centre of Excellence in India.