Pune: A growing pool of professionals from tier-2 cities with knowledge in the artificial intelligence domain is being attracted to Pune, especially due to its position as a technology and engineering hub.According to ‘India AI Workforce Report 2026’, released by Scaler, nearly one in five AI learners are now coming from tier-2 cities, while over half of AI-enabled roles were outside traditional engineering functions, signalling wider adoption of AI across industries.Dexian India, a global talent solutions firm, said around 15-20% of its AI consultant hiring for client engagements have been originates from tier-2 cities, with most recruits were fresh graduates who completed AI or generative AI training. Many of them later relocated to cities such as Pune, where global capability centres (GCCs), engineering teams and technology delivery centres were concentrated.“The demand has been particularly pronounced in the manufacturing sector, where enterprises were accelerating AI adoption across engineering, production, operations and supply chain functions,” said Kumar Rajagopalan, vice president, strategic initiatives and country head at Dexian in India.Several recruiters said that companies have been increasingly hiring candidates based on practical AI skills rather than certifications alone. The trend comes as AI education expands beyond metros.“Certification may give an idea about an individual’s interest in AI, but not necessarily about capability. Candidates who have worked on real-world AI projects usually stand out,” said Piyush Goel, CEO and founder of Beyond Key.Ameet Padiyar, founder of AI-led skill assessment platform Skyljo, told TOI that businesses were increasingly using structured assessments to evaluate candidates’ ability to apply AI in workplace tasks rather than relying solely on certificates. Candidates who could combine AI learning with practical work were adapting faster and contributing sooner.Industry executives said employers have been looking for professionals who can use AI to solve business problems, automate routine work and improve productivity. With Pune’s concentration of IT companies, GCCs and advanced manufacturing firms, recruiters expect the city to remain a key destination for AI-skilled talent emerging from smaller cities, even as the talent pipeline has been more geographically diverse.
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