Mathura: India’s expanding investments in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and the Internet of Things (IoT) are expected to create significant demand for a new generation of engineers with multidisciplinary skills, according to an academic at Hindustan College of Science and Technology (HCST), Mathura.
Dr Rupali Mahajan, Assistant Professor in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering at HCST, said the convergence of AI, semiconductors and IoT is transforming industries ranging from healthcare and manufacturing to transportation, agriculture and communications.
“Artificial intelligence may provide intelligence to machines, but semiconductors are the foundation that powers every AI application. Together with IoT, these technologies are creating intelligent systems that are transforming multiple sectors,” she said.
She noted that India’s semiconductor ecosystem is expanding rapidly, supported by the Centre’s ₹76,000-crore semiconductor incentive programme and new manufacturing investments. This, she said, is creating opportunities in chip design, VLSI, embedded systems, communication technologies, automation and AI-driven electronics.
According to Mahajan, future engineers will require expertise that goes beyond traditional electronics and communication engineering. “Strong fundamentals in electronics must now be complemented by knowledge of artificial intelligence, embedded systems, data analytics and semiconductor technologies,” she said.
She added that emerging technologies such as AIoT (Artificial Intelligence of Things) and Edge AI are enabling connected devices to process data locally, improving efficiency, speed and data security.
However, she said engineering institutions must address challenges such as upgrading laboratory infrastructure, strengthening research facilities and increasing the availability of industry-trained faculty to prepare students for Industry 4.0.
Mahajan also emphasised the need for closer collaboration between academia and industry to ensure graduates are equipped with practical skills. She said hands-on experience with hardware description languages such as Verilog and VHDL, industrial CAD tools and edge computing frameworks would become increasingly important for aspiring engineers.
She added that as India strengthens its position in the global semiconductor value chain, engineering institutions will play a critical role in preparing talent for emerging technologies and supporting the country’s growing digital economy.
