Recognising the need for human-AI collaboration, recruiters and HR heads from some of India’s top companies such as JP Morgan Chase, CISCO, HDFC Bank, TCS, and YES Bank, recently outlined crucial placement insights for young graduates entering the workforce, at the GITAM Industry Institute Interface 4.0 (GIII 4.0) program. HR and Business representatives from a broad spectrum of sectors shared how a young workforce should interact with AI.

Using AI to our advantage

“AI should be viewed as a collaborative tool, augmenting human capabilities rather than posing a threat to jobs. Graduates must embrace the partnership with AI to enhance productivity and efficiency in their roles,” says Keshav

Karunakar, Head, KPIT Academy. 

Vinay Shivapur, Regional Head at TCS, adds, “One must emphasise on proficient use of AI tools to streamline workflows and boost productivity in entry-level positions. At the same time, there should be awareness of industry-specific AI applications that can automate routine tasks, freeing up time for strategic and complex aspects of work. We must encourage graduates to integrate AI tools for creative problem-solving in real-world scenarios, and demonstrate to them how AI can enhance solutions and decision-making processes across diverse challenges.”

Mastering Prompt Engineering  

“Today, proficiency in prompt engineering — the process of structuring text that can be interpreted and understood by a generative AI model — is paramount, enabling effective communication and instruction to AI systems. Graduates should focus on framing clear and precise queries, showcasing a nuanced understanding of prompt engineering,” says Krish Nangegadda, CIO, GITAM, while also stressing on the role of data in AI and the ability to interpret and utilise data for decision-making.

“We must bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical applications, recognizing the symbiotic relationship between academia and industry — with an emphasis on diverse sectors, interconnectedness of various industries and the need for collaborative efforts to drive innovation and holistic development,” says Dr KNS Acharya, Pro Vice-Chancellor, GITAM Bengaluru Campus.

Adds Dr Kishor Buddha, Director - Career Guidance Centre, GITAM Bengaluru Campus, “The key takeaways from any industry dialogue on future of work should involve evolving talent skill needs, recommended engagement models with academic institutions, AI-related technologies and entry-level jobs, and tackling attrition rates.”

Stressing on how foundational engineering skills remain crucial, Anurag Srivastava (CSR Lead) - CISCO, underlines the importance of basic engineering skills, including mathematics and problem-solving. At the same time, John David, Vice President, JP Morgan Chase emphasises the growing significance of inclusion and diversity in the workplace.