Indian startups cut entry-level hiring as AI enables leaner teams
Business
Indian startups are switching gears, cutting back on entry-level hiring as AI tools help them do more with smaller teams.
Companies like Pocket FM and Apna Mart let go of about 10% of their staff, shifting focus from rapid growth to getting lean and efficient.
Now, they're looking for experienced hires who can hit the ground running.
Hiring demand surges for AI skills
AI isn't just replacing routine tasks, it's also creating new opportunities if you have the right skills.
Entry-level roles are shrinking (from 28% in 2024 to just 15% in 2025), but there's a big jump in demand for people skilled in AI, cloud computing, and data science.
In fact, jobs linked to generative AI shot up by 178% last year.
The message: learning new tech skills is more important than ever.