The Economic Times · 24 Sep, 00:30 · Artificial Intelligence briefing

Retaining talent key to India's AI rise: Salesforce's Vala Afshar

Salesforce executive Vala Afshar asserts that retaining skilled personnel is critical for India’s emergence as a global artificial intelligence hub.

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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 retaining skilled personnel is critical for India’s emergence as a global artificial intelligence hub. According to reports from The Economic Times, she emphasises that while technological infrastructure is vital, the ability to attract and keep top-tier talent determines long-term success. This perspective highlights a strategic shift where human capital management is viewed as equally important as technical capability in driving national AI competitiveness.

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.

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This signals that technical proficiency alone is no longer sufficient for career advancement. You must cultivate strong interpersonal and retention-focused skills to remain competitive. Prioritise learning how to manage AI teams effectively, as organisations will reward those who can sustain high-performing groups. Focus on developing emotional intelligence and collaborative leadership styles. If you are in management, review your team’s engagement strategies immediately. For individual contributors, demonstrate adaptability and mentorship capabilities. Upskill in AI literacy to understand the technology you support, but invest heavily in soft skills. Build a reputation as a stabilising force within volatile tech environments. Your ability to keep talent engaged will become a key differentiator in your professional value proposition.

For this story, the fields that convert it into pay are AI Strategy, Human Resources, Leadership and Artificial Intelligence — exactly the programmes matched below. The chart shows the indicative salary uplift certified professionals report in each of those fields; every one of them is a click away, from £79, finishing in as few as 20 days.

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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