Global Capability Centres (GCCs) and Agentic AI in India
The rise of Global Capability Centres (GCCs) in India is significantly contributing to the development and testing of agentic artificial intelligence (AI). This is driven by increased investments and a restructuring of operational models.
Investment and Innovation
- The EY GCC Pulse Survey 2025 reveals that 58% of GCCs are investing in agentic AI.
- 83% are expanding their initiatives in Generative AI (GenAI).
Talent and Employment Trends
- GCCs are no longer just a cost-saving measure for global headquarters but are taking full responsibility for global processes and innovation.
- Roles in AI, cloud, and cybersecurity are growing at an annual rate of 18-22%.
- Specialized talent commands a 25-30% higher wage compared to the tech sector.
- Attrition rates have dropped to 9-13% due to better retention strategies.
Strategic Shifts
- There is a move towards capability-led strategies rather than cost-driven operations.
- Industries like BFSI, retail, technology, healthcare, and manufacturing are increasingly demanding agentic AI talent.
Emergence of Hybrid Roles
- New roles combine engineering skills, domain expertise, and experimentation.
- Upskilled internal talent is projected to fill 27% of future digital roles.
Operational Advancements
- GCCs are entering a new phase of automation maturity with fully autonomous, agent-driven execution in various areas.
- Early-stage agentic execution is evident in supply chain management, finance, procurement, HR, and customer service.
- New roles like 'agent supervisors' and 'exception managers' are emerging.
- Some centres have begun live deployments of agentic AI in customer service and finance operations.
India's Role and Challenges
- India is increasingly becoming a global hub for design and prototyping in AI.
- Capability gaps remain in positions like senior AI architects and agent developers.
Overall, India's GCC ecosystem is transforming into a strategic innovation hub, leading the global deployment of autonomous AI systems and enhancing India's relevance on the world stage.
