Leadership roles in artificial intelligence grew between 40% and 60% in fiscal 2025 compared with the prior year, according to data sourced by ET from staffing firms. Experts expect the demand to stay firm this year and beyond.
The demand has been driven by companies in IT and consulting, global capability centres, financial services and healthcare firms, and startups across fintech, heathtech and ecommerce, which are setting up dedicated AI business units and teams, experts said. It is also coming from deeptech and generative AI-focused startups and from multinationals building AI development centres in India.
The roles in demand include chief AI officer, head of AI/ML, vice-president – AI engineering, VP – AI strategy/innovation, VP – machine learning or GenAI, director – applied AI or innovation, director – GenAI applications, director - data science, AI product head and AI solutions architect.
A significant jump in hiring in this space was seen in the last two-three quarters, staffing firms said. Accenture, LTIMindtree, IBM, Deloitte and Wipro are among top companies that are hiring for such positions, as per staffing services firm Ciel HR.
“This spike correlates with the shift from pilot AI initiatives to scaled enterprise adoption,” said Krishna Vij, vice president at Teamlease Digital. “Industry has realised that AI is now a boardroom priority for their clients and are positioning AI leadership talent to drive consulting-led engagements, co-create industry-specific AI solutions, and directly influence business outcome.”
Companies are increasingly tying compensation to business impact, and top talent in this space is seeing faster progression into CXO or other management positions, she said.
“India is a strategic hub for Accenture’s global AI innovation powered by exceptional data and AI talent. We nurture expertise across the AI value chain and career levels," Accenture told ET.
LTIMindtree, which in March appointed Nachiket Deshpande to the newly created position of president - global AI services, strategic deals and partnerships, said while announcing the appointment: "This strategic appointment demonstrates our commitment to being a proactive, agile organisation, capitalising on fast-emerging trends and reinforcing our position as an industry leader."
Demand for AI leadership talent is expected to see double-digit growth in FY26 and beyond owing to the rising strategic significance of the technology, experts said.
Seasoned leaders in demand
The launch of enterprise-ready GenAI pilots, combined with emerging AI regulation frameworks that emphasise ethical leadership, has accelerated the urgency for capable hands at the top, said Kapil Joshi, chief executive of Quess IT Staffing.
“Organisations are no longer experimenting—they are scaling. And that shift requires seasoned AI leaders who can steer strategy, governance, and innovation in unison.”
Chief AI officers are offered ₹1.2-2.5 crore annually, while heads of AI/ML typically earn ₹80 lakh to ₹1.5 crore, as per Quess data. Among others, the salary package for VPs - GenAI/ML ranges from ₹70 lakh to ₹1.2 crore range, while directors - AI innovation typically earn ₹80 lakh to ₹1 crore.
Salary growth is projected to continue at 15–20% annually, especially in roles linked to responsible AI frameworks and GenAI innovations, as per Quess.
Professionals with hands-on experience in deploying GenAI, LLMs, or enterprise-scale AI frameworks as well as domain depth are highly sought after, experts said.
Yet, talent scarcity, domain-specific expertise, and retention of top leaders remain key challenges for employers, said Aditya Narayan Mishra, managing director and CEO, Ciel HR.
“With demand outpacing supply, organisations are paying a premium for younger AI leaders,” he added.
For instance, in some cases, Ciel sees the Head-AI role commanding the highest entry-level salary at ₹36 lakh for four years of experience, reflecting the premium companies place on AI capabilities.
The demand has been driven by companies in IT and consulting, global capability centres, financial services and healthcare firms, and startups across fintech, heathtech and ecommerce, which are setting up dedicated AI business units and teams, experts said. It is also coming from deeptech and generative AI-focused startups and from multinationals building AI development centres in India.
The roles in demand include chief AI officer, head of AI/ML, vice-president – AI engineering, VP – AI strategy/innovation, VP – machine learning or GenAI, director – applied AI or innovation, director – GenAI applications, director - data science, AI product head and AI solutions architect.
A significant jump in hiring in this space was seen in the last two-three quarters, staffing firms said. Accenture, LTIMindtree, IBM, Deloitte and Wipro are among top companies that are hiring for such positions, as per staffing services firm Ciel HR.
“This spike correlates with the shift from pilot AI initiatives to scaled enterprise adoption,” said Krishna Vij, vice president at Teamlease Digital. “Industry has realised that AI is now a boardroom priority for their clients and are positioning AI leadership talent to drive consulting-led engagements, co-create industry-specific AI solutions, and directly influence business outcome.”
Companies are increasingly tying compensation to business impact, and top talent in this space is seeing faster progression into CXO or other management positions, she said.
“India is a strategic hub for Accenture’s global AI innovation powered by exceptional data and AI talent. We nurture expertise across the AI value chain and career levels," Accenture told ET.
LTIMindtree, which in March appointed Nachiket Deshpande to the newly created position of president - global AI services, strategic deals and partnerships, said while announcing the appointment: "This strategic appointment demonstrates our commitment to being a proactive, agile organisation, capitalising on fast-emerging trends and reinforcing our position as an industry leader."
Demand for AI leadership talent is expected to see double-digit growth in FY26 and beyond owing to the rising strategic significance of the technology, experts said.
Seasoned leaders in demand
The launch of enterprise-ready GenAI pilots, combined with emerging AI regulation frameworks that emphasise ethical leadership, has accelerated the urgency for capable hands at the top, said Kapil Joshi, chief executive of Quess IT Staffing.
“Organisations are no longer experimenting—they are scaling. And that shift requires seasoned AI leaders who can steer strategy, governance, and innovation in unison.”
Chief AI officers are offered ₹1.2-2.5 crore annually, while heads of AI/ML typically earn ₹80 lakh to ₹1.5 crore, as per Quess data. Among others, the salary package for VPs - GenAI/ML ranges from ₹70 lakh to ₹1.2 crore range, while directors - AI innovation typically earn ₹80 lakh to ₹1 crore.
Salary growth is projected to continue at 15–20% annually, especially in roles linked to responsible AI frameworks and GenAI innovations, as per Quess.
Professionals with hands-on experience in deploying GenAI, LLMs, or enterprise-scale AI frameworks as well as domain depth are highly sought after, experts said.
Yet, talent scarcity, domain-specific expertise, and retention of top leaders remain key challenges for employers, said Aditya Narayan Mishra, managing director and CEO, Ciel HR.
“With demand outpacing supply, organisations are paying a premium for younger AI leaders,” he added.
For instance, in some cases, Ciel sees the Head-AI role commanding the highest entry-level salary at ₹36 lakh for four years of experience, reflecting the premium companies place on AI capabilities.
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