EMPLOYABILITY AND ENTREPRENEURIAL INTENTION IN THE AI-DRIVEN DIGITAL ERA: PREPARING A FUTURE-READY WORKFORCE

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping labour markets, higher education, and entrepreneurial ecosystems by redefining the competencies required for future employment and entrepreneurship. As intelligent technologies become integral to economic and industrial development, employability increasingly depends on digital competence, adaptability, lifelong learning, and innovation, while entrepreneurial intention has emerged as an important driver of economic resilience and sustainable growth. This study examines the relationship between employability and entrepreneurial intention in the AI-driven digital era through a conceptual research design based on secondary data obtained from official national and international reports. Evidence was synthesized from policy reports published by the All India Survey on Higher Education (AISHE), Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE), National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC), Startup India, NITI Aayog, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), International Labour Organization (ILO), the World Bank, and the World Economic Forum. Based on the synthesized evidence, the study proposes the AI-Driven Employability and Entrepreneurial Readiness (AI-EER) Framework, demonstrating how AI readiness and future skills strengthen employability competencies and entrepreneurial intention to develop a resilient and future-ready workforce. The findings highlight that integrating higher education, AI-enabled skill development, and entrepreneurship is essential for developing a future-ready workforce capable of supporting India's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.