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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ADVANCED RESEARCH IN COMMERCE, MANAGEMENT & SOCIAL SCIENCE (IJARCMSS) [ Vol. 9 | No. 2 (III) | April - June, 2026 ]

AI-Driven Transformation in Finance: Assessing Technical Readiness and Skill Gaps among Commerce and Management Students and Graduates

Jerin Ninan Jose & Subin K Sunny

This study examines technical readiness and perceived skill gaps among commerce and management students and working graduates in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, concerning AI-driven financial environments. Using a quantitative descriptive design, primary data was collected via structured questionnaires from a sample of 200 B.Com, M.Com, BBA, and MBA students, alongside employed finance professionals. The research investigated how AI awareness, digital literacy, curriculum adequacy, and certification courses influence technical readiness. Data were analyzed using SPSS (correlation, chi-square, multiple regression) to offer evidence-based recommendations for aligning academic curricula with modern industry requirements. Key findings reveal a significant awareness–readiness gap, with students scoring 4.27/5 on perceived career impact of AI but only 3.18/5 on technical readiness. Curriculum adequacy, rated lowest at 2.58/5, emerged as the strongest predictor of technical readiness (β = 0.551, R² = 30.4%). All six hypotheses were supported at p < 0.001, confirming that AI awareness, digital literacy, curriculum quality, workplace training, and certification courses are significant determinants of readiness and perceived skill gaps. Structured AI exposure—whether through employer training or short-term certification—was found to substantially improve both readiness and work efficiency.

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