The Rise of Self-Employment in India: How AI and Professional Networks Are Empowering Entrepreneurs

The shift towards self-employment in India is being accelerated by three key factors: artificial intelligence adoption, building credible brand presence, and leveraging professional networks.

New Delhi:

A LinkedIn report reveals that a substantial portion of India's professional workforce is aspiring towards self-employment in the near future. This trend is supported by increasing AI adoption, strong desire for skill development, and the effectiveness of trusted professional networks in helping entrepreneurs launch and grow their ventures.

LinkedIn's Small Business Work Change India Report highlights that the number of Indian professionals adding "founder" to their profiles has doubled with a 104 percent increase within a year. More than 7 out of 10 professionals in India express interest in working for themselves soon.

The report identifies three primary catalysts for this entrepreneurial shift: AI adoption, brand credibility, and networks.

"AI has become an integral part of daily operations for India's small businesses. 82 percent of SMB leaders report that it has simplified both starting and operating businesses, while 97 percent are already implementing AI in some capacity. For 83 percent, AI has become essential for business expansion," according to the report.

To maintain competitiveness, SMBs (small and medium businesses) are developing skills concurrently with adopting new technologies. AI literacy has increased by 52 percent year-on-year among companies with 11-200 employees, with 81 percent of SMBs acknowledging investments in AI capabilities.

Approximately 95 percent of Indian SMBs have either already invested in AI or are planning to adopt it, exceeding the global average of 83 percent.

Kumaresh Pattabiraman, India Country Manager for LinkedIn, stated, "India's small businesses are progressing with remarkable speed and ambition. What differentiates India is the combination of swift AI adoption, strong appetite for skill development, and the power of trusted professional networks. Together, these forces are transforming how businesses build, scale, and succeed."

Looking ahead to 2026, India's SMBs are not merely keeping up with global changes—they're leading the direction. LinkedIn remains committed to supporting them in building credibility, recruiting talent, and unlocking opportunities at every stage of their growth journey, added Pattabiraman.

Globally, 61 percent of small business owners create content themselves, and 71 percent believe that authentic online presence is important.

This emphasis on connection is growing, with 88 percent agreeing that interpersonal skills are even more crucial in the age of AI.

Furthermore, in India, 85 percent of marketers observe that audiences now follow authentic voices such as customers, employees, partners, and creators, as they help consumers make more informed decisions.

"With the rise of AI-generated content, SMBs are treating relationships as fundamental infrastructure for insights, opportunities, and resilience," the report concluded.