New Delhi, Dec 17 (NationPress) The technology workforce in India is embarking on a significant transformation, evidenced by a marked increase in AI governance roles, a notable uptick in cybersecurity hiring, and the emergence of tier‑2 cities as hubs for digital talent, according to a report released on Wednesday.

The report from the tech solutions provider Randstad indicates that while traditional skills like Java, Salesforce, and Agile still represent almost one-third of IT positions, there is a growing demand for functions centered around AI and governance.

By 2026, the need for AI and machine learning engineers, data scientists, and AI governance specialists is expected to soar, as cybersecurity evolves in response to AI-driven threats, the report highlights.

Organizations are compelled to revamp their security frameworks, paving the way for new roles such as forensic analysts, AI security experts, ethical hackers, and incident responders.

The report further mentions that skills in large language model orchestration, prompt engineering, and human-AI interaction are experiencing double-digit growth, crucial for maintaining the accuracy, security, and contextual awareness of AI systems.

Randstad Digital India's Managing Director Milind Shah stated, "We are observing a profound transformation in the workplace, with the integration of ubiquitous AI and enhanced human-machine collaboration redefining every role as a technology role by 2026. AI has evolved beyond a mere support technology to become the strategic backbone of businesses."

Today's organizations require professionals who can not only develop AI systems but also govern and secure them ethically, ensuring a balance between innovation, compliance, and trust, he added.

Randstad also emphasized that Assisted AI, Augmented AI, and Autonomous Intelligence AI necessitate specialized skills, with increasing demand for expertise in prompt engineering and Cloud FinOps.

With companies striving to optimize cloud expenditure within AI-driven frameworks, expertise in Cloud FinOps is becoming increasingly desirable.

Bengaluru currently dominates the demand for AI talent, accounting for 35.88 percent of the market, followed by Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai. Additionally, tier‑2 cities like Chandigarh, Visakhapatnam, Coimbatore, Indore, Jaipur, and Kochi are emerging as specialized talent hubs.