Cognizant to expand "Frontier" certified workforce to 15,000

TEANECK, NJ – July 10, 2026 – Cognizant announced it will expand its "Frontier" certified workforce to 5,000 engineers and 10,000 business operators by the end of the fourth quarter of 2026. This expansion is aimed at addressing the challenge companies face in realizing measurable business results from their investments in artificial intelligence.

The company stated that many organizations have spent heavily on AI without commensurate results, estimating a $4.5 trillion gap between AI's potential and actual business returns in the U.S. Cognizant attributes this gap not to a lack of technology, but to issues with personnel skills and process adaptation.

"To close the AI outcomes gap, we need professionals who deeply understand a client’s industry, can reimagine work structures, and take end-to-end responsibility for driving results – regardless of the model or cloud a client chooses," said Ravi Kumar S., CEO of Cognizant. He emphasized that the "Frontier" workforce is designed to bridge the gap between AI capabilities and enterprise results, focusing on delivering value and managing risk.

Cognizant's "Frontier" workforce model is built on decades of experience in technology and operations. These "Frontier-ready" professionals will be integrated into client operations, working across various cloud platforms and AI models. The company also plans to supplement its talent pipeline through direct hires from universities globally.

This investment in human capital is presented as a necessary step to adapt to the AI era, where existing workforce structures may be insufficient. Cognizant aims to redefine professional roles to effectively leverage AI for business value and create sustainable solutions tailored to specific client needs.