In an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18, Parekh stated that the company’s recruitment strategy reflects its faith in the long-term potential of the Indian IT services sector, despite worries that advancements in artificial intelligence could diminish the need for software engineers.
“Last year, we brought in 20,000 college graduates. If we had doubts about the industry’s future, we wouldn’t have proceeded. This year follows a similar recruitment plan. In just the first quarter, we’ve already onboarded 4,000 graduates,” Parekh elaborated.
He further emphasized that today’s entering graduates are increasingly AI-native and are well-situated to capitalize as businesses ramp up their AI adoption.
“In the coming years, AI-native talent will become the standard,” Parekh asserted.
As the pace of AI integration accelerates, Infosys is also broadening its advanced AI talent base. Parekh mentioned that the company intends to develop a workforce of approximately 6,000 frontier engineers in the upcoming years and will continuously enhance that capability over the next five to seven years to assist clients in scaling AI technologies.
He also noted that expertise in AI will increasingly impact employee remuneration. Infosys already employs differentiated pay structures based on specialized skills via initiatives like its Power Programmer program, and Parekh indicated that frontier AI engineers are likely to attract higher salaries as the demand for those skills rises.
“Frontier engineers, for instance, will receive different compensation because those abilities are becoming more and more sought after,” he stated. “As graduates cultivate these skills and clients recognize their value, we’ll make sure our compensation reflects that appropriately.”
Simultaneously, Infosys is training new hires on its engineering methodologies while providing them with AI tools that are already in use across the organization. According to Parekh, around 80,000 employees are currently utilizing coding tools during client engagements and internal projects.
He mentioned that foundation models are enhancing software engineering productivity instead of replacing engineers, as organizations still need partners that comprehend clients’ business, technology landscapes, and industry-specific needs.
“Today’s foundation models serve as powerful productivity and efficiency tools for software engineers,” Parekh explained. “As these models continue to evolve, those who continuously reskill—or new graduates who enter the workforce already proficient—will be the primary beneficiaries.”
