As the world marks World Youth Skills Day, industry leaders across sectors are reinforcing one clear message: the future belongs to those who are skilled, adaptable, and ready to shape the digital economy. With artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and digital platforms transforming industries at an unprecedented pace, today’s youth must be equipped not only with technical expertise but also with the ability to think critically, solve problems creatively, and build responsibly.
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From cloud-native technologies to cybersecurity and AI-driven transformation, the demand for future-ready talent is soaring, and organizations are stepping up to bridge the skill gap.
Kamleshwar Bhatt, CEO of i2k2 Networks, emphasizes the role of GenAI in powering innovation across sectors: “GenAI is transforming the digital landscape and driving innovation and productivity across sectors. As leading public cloud platforms continue to expand GenAI services across sectors, the demand for a highly skilled tech talent pool to harness these technologies is growing rapidly. Young, aspiring cloud professionals should be empowered with key computing skills that help them to gain expertise in the domain. Some of the key skills include programming languages to build apps in the cloud, equipped to code APIs, have a good understanding of different databases, and hybrid and multi-cloud management, knowledge of cutting-edge AI and ML technologies, and implementation of autoscaling, among others. On this World Youth Skills Day, we celebrate the power of digital technologies, especially cloud and GenAI, which are equipping young professionals with the skills to future-proof industries.”
Vinay Sharma, Regional Director, India and SAARC, NETSCOUT, highlights the need to make technology more inclusive through STEM initiatives: “NETSCOUT has a long history of bridging the digital divide and empowering the next generation with Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) skillset development by reaching out to communities that are often underrepresented in technology. As we celebrate World Youth Skills Day, we believe it is crucial to empower our youth with AI and digital skill sets in an increasingly digital world. NETSCOUT supports these efforts because it is the right thing to do and part of our caring culture and pride in being Guardians of the Connected World.”
For Lalith Sharma, President and CHRO at Inspira Enterprise, AI literacy and cybersecurity go hand in hand: “In today’s digital-first world, digital proficiency, especially in AI, is a catalyst for career growth across industries and functions, including cybersecurity. AI literacy goes beyond writing complex algorithms, well into understanding the implications of AI on cybersecurity, the working of AI systems and techniques in building resilient systems, and securing generative AI (GenAI). On this World Youth Skills Day, we are committed to providing skills to teams on navigating the convergence of AI and cybersecurity. AI has significantly redefined cybersecurity and continues to offer immense potential for deeper, more proactive defense capabilities. However, the shortage of skilled security professionals for implementing and managing AI systems is still a challenge and has to be addressed through targeted training programs. Besides, AI-driven security solutions can also help in closing the skills gap with self-service security models. Such advancements are compelling organizations to reevaluate the skills and capabilities they value in the workforce.”
Rahul S Kurkure, Founder and Director of Cloud.in, underscores the need for future-ready professionals with cloud and AI expertise: “As GenAI and digital technologies become core enablers of innovation, businesses are increasingly turning to Cloud and AI Solution Providers not just for operational support, but for strategic transformation. This evolution calls for a new breed of professionals – cloud-certified talent with deep expertise in AI, automation, and data-driven decision-making. At Cloud.in & Hostin Services, we are proactively addressing this demand by upskilling and reskilling our teams with future-ready digital capabilities. Through initiatives like HostinAcademy.com and Evalix.AI, we’re nurturing talent from the ground up – offering hands-on training and intelligent assessments in cloud and AI technologies. As we commemorate World Youth Skills Day, we reaffirm our belief that the future lies in empowering youth through strong industry-academia collaboration, fostering an AI-literate generation ready to shape the digital economy.”
Matthew Foxton, India Regional President and EVP of Branding & Communications at IDEMIA Group, shares the success of their CSR-led skill-building initiative: “At IDEMIA, we believe that empowering youth with future-ready skills is key to building a more inclusive and innovative world. Through our CSR initiative led by the IDEMIA India Foundation, the IDEMIA Skill Program reflects our commitment to bridging the digital and economic divide by equipping underprivileged youth with hands-on training in emerging technologies and preparing them for real-world careers. What makes this program truly impactful is how thoughtfully it is designed. We work closely with industry experts to ensure the curriculum remains relevant, practical, and aligned with the skills most in demand today. From digital technologies to cybersecurity and data analytics, our students gain knowledge that opens doors. Equally important, we focus on building communication skills, confidence, and workplace readiness so they are fully prepared to succeed. We are especially proud of our strong emphasis on job placements. With a proven 90 percent + placement track record, the IDEMIA Skill Program is not just about training it is a launchpad for meaningful careers. For many of our students, this is their first step toward financial independence and long-term success for them and their families. As we celebrate World Youth Skills Day, we are inspired by the journeys of these young individuals who are now creating solutions, embracing innovation, and contributing to a better tomorrow. By investing in their growth through the IDEMIA India Foundation, we are not only shaping careers but also nurturing the next generation of leaders and changemakers.”
Kavitha Ramachandragowda, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Routematic, stresses the importance of access and inclusion across geographies: “With AI becoming an imperative part of work and life, we must ensure no young mind is left behind. Skilling isn’t just about coding, it’s about data literacy, critical thinking, and the confidence to use tech responsibly. Businesses must bring opportunities to Tier 2 and 3 towns, where some of India’s brightest talent is waiting to be empowered. This means creating internship pipelines, offering micro-courses, and co-creating real-world learning pathways, not just for top graduates, but for those on unconventional journeys. If a young person can build a smart chatbot, solve a logistics bottleneck using data, or create a sustainability dashboard with no-code tools, they deserve a shot, degree or not. The future won’t just be built by engineers in labs, it will be co-created by bold, skilled young minds across every corner of the country.”
Kartik Narayan, CEO-Staffing at TeamLease Services, points out the need for agility in learning and adapting to emerging trends: “On the eve of World Youth Skills Day, it’s worth recognising how fast the world of work is changing. A few decades ago, computer literacy and productivity tools were the game-changers. Today, it’s AI and digital platforms. This shift isn’t something to fear but it’s something to prepare for. For young people, embracing these new skills and the rise of gig work is key to staying ahead. The earlier we adapt, the better we’ll be ready for what’s next.”
Darshil Shah, Founder and Director of TreadBinary, highlights the transformative potential of AI fluency: “As technology continues to redefine our world, our most strategic investment lies in equipping young people with the skills to shape what comes next. Empowering youth with AI and digital skills goes far beyond technical know-how it cultivates original thinking and innovation with clarity and confidence. These capabilities are not only transformative for individuals; they act as catalysts for inclusive and sustainable societal growth. Skilling fosters a spirit of entrepreneurship, sharpens analytical thinking, and strengthens the intellectual fabric necessary to pursue the ambition of New India. It also addresses the critical disconnect between formal education and real-world employability, preparing youth to thrive in industries that are evolving at unprecedented speed. What sets this generation apart is their ability to harness technology itself as a vehicle for self-driven learning and growth. With access to digital platforms, open resources, and AI-powered tools, they can continuously adapt, advance, and lead. By nurturing AI fluency and digital confidence, we enable youth to question systems, reimagine solutions, and develop technologies grounded in equity and purpose. This World Youth Skills Day, let us not merely teach youth to use technology, but to own it, question it, and elevate it. Because when youth are truly empowered, they don’t just keep up with the future, and they help create it.”
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Bhagwati Shetty, CHRO, Comviva, said: “Artificial Intelligence and related technologies are transforming the technology landscape by automating tasks, enhancing decision-making and offering new insights. As AI continues to impact every industry, it is crucial that the government, industry and academic institutions work together to reskill and upskill the growing number of young professionals graduating each year in India. At Comviva, we recognize the immense potential that young talent brings to the workforce. We have partnered with University of Southampton Delhi and various universities in Bhubaneswar to co-develop strategic initiatives focused on talent development, collaborative innovation, and community impact. We have also launched a short-term course in AI/ML to equip students with practical skills that are in line with industry requirements.”
