Article: Genpact’s Piyush Mehta on AI, talent, and India’s AI ecosystem

HR Technology

Genpact’s Piyush Mehta on AI, talent, and India’s AI ecosystem

AI is changing the face of HR —from using chatbots for candidate screening to upskilling. Piyush Mehta, CHRO & Country Manager, India at Genpact, breaks down AI’s impact, India’s AI boom, and what it takes to thrive in an AI-driven world.
Genpact’s Piyush Mehta on AI, talent, and India’s AI ecosystem

In the time it takes to read this, AI at Genpact has already screened dozens of job applications. By the end of the day, it will have matched 1,500 candidates to open positions—a task that used to take recruiters weeks to complete. For Piyush Mehta, Genpact’s Chief Human Resources Officer, this is just the start.

“By 2025, AI won’t just assist HR—it will reshape work as we know it,” Piyush says. He’s already seeing this shift, with AI taking on new roles in areas like learning and development and talent acquisition. Genpact’s AI-powered learning assistant, “AI Guru,” serves as a personal mentor, helping employees learn new skills and providing answers to their questions.

Meanwhile, “ScoutMatch” streamlines hiring by automating candidate matching, freeing recruiters to focus on building relationships and finding the right fit. According to Piyush, it’s made a huge difference, enabling them to screen 60% more applications.

Also Read:

But Piyush acknowledges that the journey toward AI integration isn’t without challenges. “The biggest hurdle isn’t the technology itself,” he says. “It’s the people.” Finding professionals who can build and manage these AI systems remains a significant obstacle. Piyush believes the solution lies in upskilling. “We need to move beyond just talking about AI and invest in truly developing our workforce,” he stresses.

It’s not just about technical skills, though. As AI takes on more responsibilities, ethical considerations are becoming more critical. “Responsible AI is non-negotiable,” Piyush insists.

Companies must ensure their AI systems are not only effective but also fair, unbiased, and protect privacy. This requires clear guidelines, rigorous testing for biases, and continuous monitoring for transparency. It also means educating employees about how AI works, its limitations, and how to interpret the information it generates responsibly.

India's AI potential

Looking at the bigger picture, Piyush sees immense potential for India in the AI revolution. “With its tech-savvy workforce and government initiatives backing AI, the country is well-positioned to lead this transformation,” he says.

However, while India has a vast pool of tech talent, there’s a noticeable gap in specialised AI skills, particularly in areas like data science, machine learning, and AI ethics. Piyush stresses the importance of “rigorous AI skilling and training programs” to cultivate an “AI-fluent workforce.”

He advocates for leveraging online platforms and hands-on projects to bridge the gap between theory and real-world application. He also underscores the need for collaboration between industry, academia, and startups to fuel innovation, accelerate AI development, and ensure research translates into practical solutions.

For Piyush, AI isn’t just something for the future. “It’s our present,” he says. “And we need to be ready for it.”

Genpact's vision for the future of work

Piyush emphasises Genpact’s commitment to AI, stating, “We’re not just talking about AI-led solutions; we’re embedding them in everything we do,” from streamlining processes to nurturing employee growth.

With 3,400 AI experts already on board, he shares, “We aim to grow that number to 25,000 by 2027.” But it’s not just about specialised talent—Genpact is focused on upskilling its entire workforce, aiming for 90% of employees to comfortably work alongside AI.

Looking ahead, Piyush predicts that by 2025, AI will play an even larger role in the workplace. “AI tools will become essential,” he says, reshaping how work is done.

This shift will create exciting new roles like “AI-driven talent strategists” and “employee experience architects”—positions that marry technology with human insight.

For Piyush, HR is at the heart of this evolution. It's not just about adapting to AI, but guiding its integration with a focus on responsibility and the human element. This proactive approach, he believes, will position HR as a key driver of organisational success in a world shaped by AI.

Read full story

Topics: HR Technology, Strategic HR, #Artificial Intelligence

Did you find this story helpful?

Author

QUICK POLL

What will be the biggest impact of AI on HR in 2025?