37% of entry-level tasks in India already performed by AI: Cognizant-Pearson study

A new study by Cognizant and Pearson has found that 37% of entry-level tasks in India are already being performed by AI, placing the country ahead of the global average of 33%. The finding signals a profound shift in how organisations hire, train and develop early-career talent.

But perhaps the bigger question is not what AI is replacing, but what it means for the traditional pathways that have shaped careers for decades.

The entry-level job is being redesigned

For years, entry-level roles served as an apprenticeship model—allowing graduates to build foundational skills through repetitive, process-oriented tasks before progressing into more strategic positions.

Those tasks are now among the first to be automated.

According to the study, AI is increasingly taking over activities such as information gathering, documentation, routine analysis and administrative support, fundamentally altering what constitutes "entry-level" work.

As a result, organisations may need to rethink the very purpose of junior roles.

Rather than execution-focused positions, future entry-level jobs could become oversight-driven, requiring employees to supervise AI systems, validate outputs and exercise judgment much earlier in their careers.

The talent pipeline dilemma

While AI promises productivity gains, it also creates a paradox.

If organisations automate foundational work too aggressively, where will future managers, leaders and specialists gain their first experiences?

The challenge is becoming increasingly visible across industries as companies reassess hiring strategies and place greater emphasis on AI proficiency alongside domain expertise.

The study also warns that the pace of workplace transformation is outstripping organisations' ability to train employees effectively, creating an urgent need for structured upskilling initiatives.

For CHROs, this presents a critical strategic question: How do companies preserve learning pathways while accelerating AI adoption?

The new entry-level employee may need 'mid-career' skills

The findings align with a broader global trend where junior roles are beginning to demand higher-order capabilities traditionally associated with more experienced professionals.

As AI takes over transactional work, organisations are placing greater value on uniquely human skills such as critical thinking, communication, creativity, collaboration and decision-making.

The implication is significant: the first rung of the corporate ladder is moving upward.

Graduates may increasingly be expected to contribute strategically from day one, rather than spending years learning through repetitive tasks.

What this means for employers

The findings come at a time when organisations across sectors are accelerating AI investments while reassessing talent requirements.

As AI assumes responsibility for routine work, organisations will need to ensure they do not inadvertently weaken the talent pipeline that produces future leaders.

For CHROs, the challenge is not simply whether AI will impact early-career roles, but how to redesign work in a way that enables both productivity gains and sustainable talent development.

The emerging reality is clear: the future of work will require organisations to build new career pathways where humans and AI work alongside each other, rather than replacing one another.