Firstpost · 24 Sep, 06:30 · Technology briefing

India’s AI rise hinges on retaining top talent: Salesforce’s Vala Afshar

Salesforce executive Vala Afshar asserts that India’s ascent as a global artificial intelligence hub depends critically on retaining its most skilled professionals.

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The briefing

The story
in brief.

What happened, who it affects, and why it landed on our intelligence desk — in plain English, sixty seconds or less.

Salesforce executive Vala Afshar asserts that India’s ascent as a global artificial intelligence hub depends critically on retaining its most skilled professionals. The commentary highlights that while India produces significant technical talent, preventing brain drain to Western markets is essential for sustainable growth. Afshar emphasises that local ecosystems must offer competitive opportunities and career progression to keep experts engaged. This perspective underscores the strategic importance of human capital in the technology sector, suggesting that infrastructure and policy alone are insufficient without a robust strategy for talent retention and development within the domestic market.

Employer demand for AI Strategy skills — indexed growth since 2019
Indicative index of skill mentions in professional job postings for the field this story moves (2019 = 1)

Your move

What this means
for your career.

Every headline redistributes opportunity. Here is who this one rewards — and how to be on the right side of it.

This shift means your technical expertise is no longer your only asset; your ability to drive local innovation is equally valuable. Professionals in data science and AI strategy should prioritise roles that influence product development rather than just maintenance. You must position yourself as a leader who can bridge global standards with local market needs. Upskill in AI governance and strategic implementation to become indispensable to Indian firms competing globally. Do not wait for overseas offers to define your worth. Instead, seek organisations investing heavily in homegrown talent and offer clear pathways to senior leadership. Your next step is to audit your skills against strategic business outcomes, ensuring you can demonstrate how AI drives tangible value within the Indian economic context.

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Indicative salary uplift in the fields matched to this story
Indicative ranges from published continuing-education salary studies, by field — each field is a recommended course below

Matched to this story

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