Indian businesses are rapidly moving beyond AI experimentation, embedding the technology into core operations and leveraging it as a powerful engine for growth and global expansion. A recent Autodesk AI Pulse Report 2026 highlights India's leading position in AI adoption and confidence.
Unprecedented Trust and Global Ambition
The report indicates that an impressive 93% of Indian respondents believe their organizations can maintain data security while utilizing AI, a figure that stands as the highest globally. This robust trust in AI's data handling capabilities is a significant driver for the technology's deeper integration.
Furthermore, India is emerging as the most expansion-focused country among all surveyed markets, with 87% of businesses actively exploring new international markets. This signals a strategic shift from domestic focus to global ambition, powered by AI integration.
Rising Investment and Widespread Adoption
The confidence in AI is directly reflected in increased investment. Over the past year, 91% of Indian organizations boosted their AI investments, surpassing the APAC average of 85% and the global average of 81%. This sustained investment underscores a long-term commitment to AI-driven strategies.
AI adoption is also becoming pervasive across sectors. Currently, 63% of Indian organizations utilize AI assistants and chatbots, marking the highest adoption rate in the Asia-Pacific region. Notably, no surveyed Indian organization reported operating without any AI tools, demonstrating a universal embrace of the technology.
Tangible Business Impact and Evolving Priorities
As AI permeates deeper into business functions, Indian organizations are reporting concrete benefits. Nearly 88% of respondents credit AI with improved productivity, while 84% observe stronger innovation outcomes. Additionally, 75% state that AI facilitates better decision-making processes.
Investment priorities are also evolving. Generative AI remains a top focus for 74% of businesses, followed by process automation at 58% and decision-support AI at 54%. A significant 51% of businesses are now prioritizing investment in AI agents, with 69% anticipating the adoption of agentic AI within the next year. This shift indicates that AI is increasingly viewed as a strategic business capability rather than a standalone technological initiative.
“India is entering a new phase of AI adoption. The conversation is no longer about whether businesses should use AI, it's about where AI can create the greatest value,” stated Haresh Khoobchandani, Vice President, APAC & Japan at Autodesk. “The next wave of competitive advantage will come from industry-specific AI that understands complex workflows, augments human expertise and helps teams make faster, better-informed decisions.”
Strengthening Workforce Readiness and Addressing Challenges
India's AI momentum is further bolstered by a strong focus on workforce development. A remarkable 70% of Indian respondents believe their organization provides adequate AI training, significantly higher than the APAC average of 57% and the global average of 59%. Leadership commitment is also robust, with 88% of senior leaders actively encouraging AI adoption.
Despite this progress, challenges remain. Businesses recognize that scaling AI requires ongoing investment in skills, systems, and governance. Key implementation hurdles include regulatory uncertainty (50%), AI skills shortages (49%), data quality (45%), and system integration (47%). Addressing these areas will be crucial for sustained AI growth.
The survey, conducted by Statista Plus Research in January–February 2026, gathered insights from 2,500 industry leaders and experts across various global markets and sectors, including architecture, engineering, construction, design, manufacturing, and media and entertainment.