At a time when job cuts and AI-driven restructuring dominate headlines across the global IT sector, Infosys has taken a bold, optimistic step. The Indian tech giant plans to hire 20,000 fresh graduates in 2025, signaling confidence in future growth despite automation trends. In sharp contrast, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is reportedly laying off around 12,000 employees as part of an AI-focused strategy. Here’s a detailed look at how Infosys is positioning itself differently from its peers.

Key Points

Infosys to onboard 20,000 freshers in 2025

CEO Salil Parekh emphasizes AI integration with job creation

Over 2.75 lakh Infosys employees already trained in AI skills

TCS, HCLTech, and others announce major workforce cuts

Infosys sees AI as a tool for growth, not downsizing

A Refreshing Contrarian Approach

While global IT firms, including Microsoft, IBM, Intel, and Indian giants like TCS and HCLTech, are restructuring and automating to cut costs, Infosys is going against the grain. Salil Parekh, CEO of Infosys, revealed that the company is committed to growing its workforce and equipping it with future-ready skills rather than cutting it.

AI-Driven Growth, Not Layoffs

Infosys is placing AI at the center of its strategy. Rather than using it as a reason to reduce headcount, the company sees it as an opportunity to enhance productivity. The firm estimates AI could improve software development productivity by 5-15% and raise efficiency by up to 20% within its Finacle core banking solution.

Extensive Training for an AI Future

Infosys has already trained approximately 2.75 lakh employees in artificial intelligence and related technologies. This robust training initiative ensures that its workforce is equipped to handle the evolving demands of clients and the broader tech landscape.

Sharp Contrast with TCS and Industry Trends

While Infosys is expanding, TCS is undergoing a significant workforce reduction. The company is expected to cut about 2% of its global staff—roughly 12,000 employees—citing the need to enhance agility and operational efficiency amid AI adoption. HCLTech and other firms are also hinting at or executing similar plans.

Why Infosys Stands Out

In an industry often defined by efficiency at the cost of employment, Infosys’s approach is strikingly different. The company aims to future-proof itself not by reducing costs through layoffs, but by deepening its talent pool and embracing AI with a human-first strategy.

Conclusion

Infosys’s announcement to hire 20,000 freshers in 2025 is more than a recruitment headline; it’s a statement about the future of work in India’s IT sector. While many tech companies respond to AI by downsizing, Infosys is investing in people and betting that well-trained human capital is still its most valuable asset. The decision offers a hopeful outlook for job seekers and sets an inspiring precedent in an era dominated by automation fears.