Bengaluru among top 12 global tech hubs as Artificial Intelligence (AI) talent hits one million

Bengaluru has been recognised as one of the top 12 global tech ‘powerhouse’ cities in CBRE’s Global Tech Talent Guidebook 2025, joining established hubs like San Francisco, London, Beijing, and Tokyo. With a tech talent pool surpassing one million, Bengaluru ranks among the world’s leading technology centres out of 115 markets surveyed. The report categorises markets as Powerhouse, Established, or Emerging based on talent size, competitiveness, and cost. Bengaluru leads India in artificial intelligence (AI) talent and is emerging as a formidable competitor to United States (US) tech hubs. Between 2018 and 2023, the city’s tech employment grew by 12%, supported by a vibrant startup ecosystem with 28 unicorns and substantial investments in AI, data science, and product engineering. Demographically, 75.5% of Bengaluru’s population is of working age—the fourth-highest among the top 12 hubs—ensuring a sustainable talent pipeline. In 2024, Bengaluru attracted 140 venture capital (VC) deals worth Rs. 28,188.6 crore (approximately US$ 3.3 billion), including 34 focused on AI. The city benefits from leading educational institutions and Global Capability Centres (GCCs) that anchor strategic operations locally.
Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) and Mumbai also feature prominently as key innovation hubs. In 2024, Delhi-NCR completed 183 VC deals worth Rs. 16,229.8 crore (US$ 1.9 billion), with 42 in AI, while Mumbai secured Rs. 41,855.8 crore (US$ 4.9 billion) in funding across 167 deals, making it one of India’s most capital-rich corridors. Emerging cities such as Ahmedabad and Jaipur are gaining momentum, supported by initiatives like GIFT City in Ahmedabad, which is expected to host 550 firms employing over 20,000 people. Jaipur’s strong educational base and lower costs attract startups and IT firms seeking operational efficiency. Globally, AI-focused tech investment reached Rs. 11,01,918 crore (US$ 129 billion) in 2024, with the Asia-Pacific region home to three of the world’s largest tech talent pools: Beijing, Bengaluru, and Shanghai, each exceeding one million workers. India and the US continue to lead in AI development talent, positioning Bengaluru not just as an outsourcing hub but as a strategic destination for transformative technologies and corporate expansion.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.