GitHub, which is owned by Microsoft, has welcomed 2.2 million more developers from India, increasing the total number of Indian developers on the platform to 15.4 million. During his visit to India, GitHub CEO Thomas Dohmke discussed several topics, including the company's substantial reduction in workforce in India in 2023.
GitHub terminated 80% of its Indian workforce as part of a reorganization process, a decision driven by economic circumstances and the product areas the affected employees were working on. Dohmke emphasized that the decision was not a reflection on India itself. Many of the impacted employees were reabsorbed by Microsoft due to their valuable skills, though the process was less than ideal. Despite this, GitHub remains enthusiastic about the opportunities in India.
Dohmke also addressed the potential influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the Indian IT industry. Despite concerns about AI potentially disrupting traditional IT positions, Dohmke expressed optimism that AI will propel Indian IT companies to greater achievements. He emphasized the increasing intricacy of software systems and the ongoing demand for software upkeep and enhancements.
As AI introduces heightened complexity, there is an anticipated rise in demand for proficient software developers, particularly in India. GitHub foresees that India's developer community will exceed that of the United States, which currently stands at 21 million developers, by 2027.
Dohmke also noted the substantial number of computer science graduates in India, approximately 200,000 annually, contributing to the country’s growing prominence in software and AI. He envisions a future where coding education becomes widespread in India, with people learning to code in their native languages. This could lead to a sustained increase in the number of developers, positioning India as a global leader in both software development and AI innovation. Dohmke’s optimistic outlook underscores GitHub’s continued commitment to fostering growth and development within India’s tech ecosystem.
