Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi

New Delhi, Jul 9: Cognizant has announced plans to significantly expand its artificial intelligence (AI) workforce by increasing the number of frontier-certified engineers to 5,000 and frontier business operators to 10,000, citing growing demand from enterprises accelerating AI adoption.

The Nasdaq-listed technology services company said its first batch of frontier-assessed and deployment-ready engineers will be introduced in the fourth quarter of the year.

The company also plans to strengthen its talent pipeline by recruiting frontier-native professionals annually from universities in the United States and other countries.

"Closing the AI outcome gap demands talent who not only understands a client's industry deeply but can also reimagine the way work is structured and take end-to-end responsibility for delivering results in collaboration with clients, on any model or cloud the client selects," Cognizant Chief Executive Officer Ravi Kumar said.

The concept of frontier deployed engineers (FDEs), popularised by US data analytics firm Palantir, refers to software engineers who work directly within a client's ecosystem to configure technology platforms and deliver AI-driven business solutions.

Unlike traditional enterprise architects, FDEs operate within customer environments, helping organisations adopt AI platforms, bridge business goals with technical implementation and design solutions using proven frameworks and industry expertise.

Cognizant said its frontier operating model is based on six core principles: interdisciplinary capability, direct alignment with customer value, routine collaboration with AI agents, end-to-end accountability, delivery through small operational teams and a unified client experience.

According to data from TeamLease Digital, demand for frontier deployed engineers has been growing at a rapid pace. During the first three quarters of 2025, demand for such roles increased by nearly 800 per cent from a relatively small base, highlighting their growing importance in enterprise AI transformation.

Globally, there are an estimated 500 to 800 active frontier deployed engineering roles at any given time. India currently accounts for around 250 to 270 open positions, positioning the country as an emerging hub for specialised AI talent.