New Delhi : Marking a significant recognition of India’s growing influence in global technology and innovation, Rahul Attuluri, Co-founder and CEO of NxtWave and NIAT, addressed the World Economic Forum’s Annual Meeting of the New Champions, also known as Summer Davos, held on June 25, 2025, in Tianjin, China. Attuluri spoke in a key session titled “Career Pathways: Rewired,” where he shared insights on the impact of agentic AI on entry-level roles and highlighted the need to transform disruption into long-term career opportunities for India’s youth.
In his address, Attuluri described the current era as one marked by uncertainty, especially for emerging job seekers. With 60% of India’s population being young, he called this demographic a double-edged sword — a massive opportunity if nurtured, and a looming challenge if ignored. He explained that disruptions caused by AI, particularly at the entry-level, follow a J-curve trend: the short term looks bleak with widespread layoffs and hiring freezes, but long-term opportunities abound as the demand for AI skills surges globally.
Attuluri urged stakeholders to look beyond traditional degrees and prioritise skill-based learning through closer collaboration between academia and industry. He argued that companies must clearly communicate their skill expectations so that learning is aligned with real workforce demands. Emphasising the importance of becoming AI-fluent, he called on the youth to equip themselves with new-age technological, human-centric, and communication skills to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving job market.
He also stressed the importance of providing access to AI infrastructure from the early stages of education to prevent a widening digital divide. By enabling students to use AI agents and no-code/low-code tools in their learning and projects, Attuluri said the next generation can create greater value when they transition into the workforce.
Commending the Indian government and various state initiatives focused on large-scale upskilling, Attuluri said that a convergence is underway among policy, academia, and industry to make India’s youth future-ready. He noted that efforts must now focus on scaling these programs and ensuring inclusive access to technology-enabled learning.
NxtWave, the company co-founded by Attuluri, has been at the forefront of this transformation. Recognised in 2024 as a Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum, NxtWave joined an elite list of global innovators that includes past recipients such as Google, Airbnb, Spotify, and Twitter (now X). The company has gained global attention for its AI-powered, vernacular-first learning platform that equips students with job-ready skills.
Attuluri’s presence at the Summer Davos further cements NxtWave’s growing relevance in the global edtech landscape and reaffirms India’s position as a rising hub of skilled digital talent.
