In an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18, Patel said India is well positioned to benefit from an expected shortage of skilled workers globally as AI adoption accelerates.
“India also has an extraordinary demographic advantage. The size of the population below the age of 30 is a superpower,” Patel said.
“If there’s going to be a shortage of talented workers, India is in a tremendous position.”
Patel, who was born in India, also praised the speed with which policymakers and government leaders tackle issues, saying the country’s public sector increasingly operates with the mindset of startups.
“I think the entrepreneurialism shown by the public sector is remarkable,” he said. “Every time I go to India and meet government leaders, including Prime Minister Modi and others, I feel like I’m talking to startups.”
He recalled an instance when Cisco executives raised concerns over an export control license during meetings with Indian ministers. According to Patel, officials immediately focused on resolving the issue, and by the time the delegation left the country, the matter had been addressed.
“That level of entrepreneurialism in the public sector is rare. You’re seeing it in India and the US, and that speed and scale are really important,” he said.
Patel’s comments come at a time when countries are competing to secure AI talent and build domestic capabilities in emerging technologies.
He said the biggest challenge over the coming years may not be a lack of jobs, but a shortage of workers who are proficient in AI.
“There will be a shortage of people who are dexterous with AI and fluent in AI,” Patel said.
He added that the productivity gap between workers who are comfortable using AI tools and those who are not could be significant, making AI literacy an increasingly important skill.
While acknowledging that some jobs could be displaced during the transition, Patel said entirely new industries and opportunities would emerge. He argued that every major leap in technology has historically created new bottlenecks, which in turn generate demand for new skills and more workers.
Cisco has been expanding programs aimed at preparing workers for these changes. Patel said the company works with governments worldwide and reaches tens of millions of people through its Networking Academy platform. The company has also added AI and cybersecurity courses to help people adapt to changing workforce requirements.
“What is important is making sure we don’t leave people behind,” he said. “We partner with governments around the world and work with tens of millions of people to upskill them.”
Patel said the combination of India’s demographic profile, growing talent pool and increasing emphasis on digital skills could position the country strongly as AI adoption spreads across industries.
