SynopsisGlobal capability centres in India are slowing hiring. Companies are cautious about global uncertainties and the rise of artificial intelligence. This cautiousness leads to reduced hiring plans. New entrants will drive growth with flexible workforces. Companies are experimenting with smaller teams. This approach allows for scaling up as needed.Global capability centres in India are taking a measured approach to hiring as companies are wary about the impact of geopolitical uncertainties and growing AI adoption, the CEO of ANSR, which helps firms build and run global centres, said.India is home to more than half of the ‌world's global ⁠centres as ⁠companies prefer its large skilled workforce, lower operating costs and rising ability to support ​high-value jobs across technology, finance and engineering.However, the rise of artificial intelligence could test ​that edge by reducing headcounts for some roles and reshaping the kind of work global centres do."There is a sense of cautiousness," Lalit Ahuja, ​also the founder of ANSR, told Reuters on ⁠Monday. "Companies are ‌hiring fewer people, just as a matter of abundant ​caution."ANSR counts ​FedEx, Target and Lowe's among its clients.Ahuja says that ⁠hiring is being slashed by 30% to 50%, with ​some firms that had planned global centres with more ​than 5,000 employees scaling those ambitions back to about 2,000. He did not give further details.India is expected to host nearly 2,200 global centres and a talent base of 2.36 million by the end of the fiscal year that ends in March, IT industry body Nasscom and ‌consultancy Zinnov said in a report this month.Flexible workforceWith hiring by large global centres subdued in the near term, new ​entrants would ​drive growth, Ahuja ⁠said, as companies build a core workforce, alongside a larger flexible pool that can be scaled up or down based on business needs.That reflects growing ​fatigue with a "wait-and-watch" approach, as companies choose to hire fewer people than planned, begin work on a smaller scale and see how it evolves."Companies are now undertaking bold experiments," Ahuja said."You can always hire more, but it's always difficult to let go of people." ...moreElevate your knowledge and leadership skills at a cost cheaper than your daily tea.Subscribe Now