Indian tech workers could save half a day weekly by 2029 using automation: Report

By 2029, professionals working in key tech roles could save nearly half a day a week by augmenting and automating key tasks with technology, according to new research from global learning platform Pearson.Pearson’s latest Skills Outlook: Solving the Tech Talent Gap from Within – shows how businesses can unlock trapped value by automating and augmenting tasks. By thinking creatively and proactively about how to upskill and redeploy existing talent, and redesigning roles from the ground up, business leaders can address urgent skills gaps and boost job security for employees, the research said.

The study focused on five popular and valued tech roles in India – systems software developers, computer programmers, computer system engineers/ architects, computer systems analysts, computer network architects – analysing how the tasks done by these employees will change in the next five years, due to 34 evolving technologies.

Looking at the impact on hours spent on tasks within a role in a working week, the research found that across the roles examined, between 2.5 hours and 3.9 hours a week could be saved in five years’ time through effective use of technology – nearly half a day in the working week. Of the 34 technologies analysed, Large Language Model (LLM) Chatbots (an advanced software designed to handle complex and dynamic interactions, simulating human conversation) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for Internal Processes (a technology that uses software bots to automate repetitive, rule-based tasks and processes) hold the greatest potential to save time for the roles analysed.

All of the tasks within the five roles surveyed remain part of the job – none are completely removed by technology – however some tasks are impacted more than others. Tasks focused on working with others, including supervision, training and project discussions will be the least impacted, found the study. The tasks most transformed by tech are largely routine or repetitive: correcting errors, maintaining systems, rewriting programmes, updating software, or performing network backups.

Vinay Kumar Swamy, Country Head- Pearson India, said: “In India’s rapidly evolving digital economy, businesses cannot afford to treat workforce development as an afterthought. Our study shows that by strategically redesigning roles and not replacing them, employers can unlock significant value within their existing teams.”“With up to 17 hours of monthly time savings per tech professional by 2029, the opportunity is not just to bridge talent gaps, but to transform the very nature of work. Pearson sees role redesigning as a forward-thinking solution that aligns people, productivity, and innovation critically to sustain India’s global tech leadership,” he added.By doing this, employers have a real opportunity to reallocate saved time to more strategic, innovative and high-value work, the study found. The challenge is in identifying what those tasks are for each role, how they will help boost business performance, and how best to develop these skills to get the maximum value from their workforce.