India’s AI‑training sector has quietly become a global powerhouse. Instead of the old “click‑and‑label” gigs, companies now recruit doctors, lawyers, engineers and linguists to fine‑tune models that power everything from US hospitals to self‑driving cars. Data‑annotation firms like iMerit, Cogito Tech and Pixel Annotation have pivoted from sheer volume to expert‑led work, treating specialist input as the third pillar of AI development.
Raji Chandran, a Kochi‑based medical professional, annotates foetal ultrasound scans that later guide diagnoses in Dallas. Aparna Bhasin, a Gurugram radiologist, spends most of her time teaching AI to spot anomalies in X‑rays, CTs and MRIs, turning her clinical insight into model‑ready labels. Their work shows how deep expertise is being blended with AI to make the technology safer and more reliable, especially in high‑stakes fields like healthcare and autonomous mobility.
In healthcare, a missed anomaly can be life‑changing; in autonomous mobility, misread sensor data can cause accidents. The new “human‑in‑the‑loop” workforce bridges that gap, ensuring AI systems learn from professionals who understand the nuances of real‑world practice. This shift is turning India into a critical source of high‑stakes intelligence that shapes the next generation of AI across the world.
iMerit’s scholars programme curates a global community of PhDs, MDs and engineers who debug and coach models. Cogito Tech employs about 2,500 full‑time professionals in India, backed by a consulting network of 7,000‑8,000 part‑time experts. Overall, India isn’t just a back‑office hub anymore; it’s a key player in the development of AI that will impact industries worldwide.
