“AI is changing how India hires, much like how smartphones changed how we connect with each other,” said Madhu Kurup, vice president of software engineering at Indeed, a global talent matching hiring platform.
Considering the rapid pace of development in AI, the fear of job loss is palpable. More studies indicate how a significant segment of professionals worldwide continue to be apprehensive about AI taking away their jobs. Interestingly, this rapid evolution of AI is also reshaping the recruitment landscape in India and the world.
Kurup, in a candid interview with indianexpress.com, shared his views on how AI is transforming job opportunities, addressing unique challenges, and how it is instrumental in creating inclusive pathways for job seekers.
AI and recruitment in India
Kurup shared that while in the United States of America, AI is used for specialised tasks like predicting which industries will grow or match highly unique skills to roles, in India, AI’s application focusses on broader accessibility and bridging geographical gaps. “It helps connect a skilled tailor in a smaller town with a manufacturing job in a nearby bigger town or assists fresh graduates in tier-2 cities to find tech roles in metros,” Kurup explained, highlighting the technology’s potential to democratise employment opportunities.
He said due to India’s strong IT sector and the growing number of job seekers using digital tools, the transformation is speeding up. “For example, recent advancements in AI can also make responding to candidates easier and less time consuming for recruiters, reducing uncertainty for jobseekers on where they stand in the hiring process,” he said.
According to the VP, this approach is crucial in a diverse job market like India’s where conventional recruitment methods often fail to reach talent in remote or underserved regions. The challenges are significant, such as varied skill sets, non-standardised resumes, limited digital access to complex barriers that AI must navigate.
Overcoming linguistic barriers
Talking about India-specific challenges, Kurup said that one of the most significant hurdles is the immense linguistic and digital diversity. Although internet usage is growing rapidly, connectivity challenges persist in rural areas. However, Kurup draws a parallel with smartphone adoption, suggesting that AI in recruitment is following a similar path of increased accessibility and ease of use. “As algorithms improve and start recognising nuances—like job title overlaps or multilingual resumes—they’ll break down barriers that have held people back,” he said.
When asked about Indeed’s approach to ethical AI deployment, Kurup said that the company believes that while talent is universal, opportunity often is not. He acknowledged that bias is a serious concern and said that Indeed takes extensive time and resources to address them. “AI is powered by data derived from humans, and as data used to train AI models may not fully represent humanity’s diversity, leading to embedded biases that can scale and replicate through AI systems.”
Further, Kurup said that the company has developed comprehensive Responsible AI principles, treating algorithmic fairness as a ‘socio-technical’ issue. “We scrutinise the data used to train our AI, implement fairness checks, and actively work to mitigate bias in algorithmic outputs. Our goal is to build systems that create inclusive opportunities and empower job seekers from all backgrounds,” he said. Kurup also emphasised the need to prepare workers for technological implications by encouraging education in humanities alongside technical skills.
Human-AI partnership and future skills
At a time when there is considerable apprehension over AI replacing human workers, Kurup views the technology as a collaborative tool. “AI is an incredibly powerful tool, but it’s not here to replace the human touch,” he asserted. According to Kurup, the goal is augmentation, not replacement, essentially using AI to help people work more efficiently while maintaining personal connections.
Indeed’s new AI talent agent offers personalised career guidance by analysing a job seeker’s skills, preferences, and experiences. This tool generates potential career paths and development plans. “For example, a digital marketing professional in Bangalore could see how to pivot into product management, while someone in Jaipur could explore moving from the education domain into a corporate training career,” he said.
Since AI is becoming more integrated into the job market, Kurup shared the critical skills for India’s workforce. Above technical expertise in areas like data analytics and cybersecurity, there is also an increasing focus on soft skills. “Employers are placing more value on teamwork, communication, and critical thinking,” he explained.
Kurup cited a recent survey by Indeed and Nasscom that found 54 per cent of respondents believe AI, Machine Learning, and big data analytics are the most in-demand job skills. Expertise in areas like Advanced Data Analytics, Data Clustering, Anomaly Detection, and Cybersecurity are most sought-after employers. However, the Indeed executive maintained that technical proficiency alone is not sufficient. “The most competitive professionals will be those who can effectively integrate AI tools while maintaining strong interpersonal capabilities,” he said.
When asked how he sees AI reshaping recruitment practices globally, Kurup said he envisions AI making recruitment more personalised and efficient. He said that just as streaming platforms recommend content, AI will tailor job suggestions based on individual skills and career aspirations. He said, “When we focus on a skills-first approach, we end up hiring better people—those who may not have the ‘perfect’ resume but have the right skills and potential.”
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