India is emerging as one of the Asia-Pacific region’s most active markets for artificial intelligence, with businesses moving beyond experimentation and increasingly integrating AI into their core operations.

According to Autodesk’s AI Pulse Report 2026, 91% of Indian organisations increased their investment in AI over the past year. This places India ahead of the wider APAC region, where 85% of organisations raised AI spending, and above the global average of 81%.

The report also highlights strong adoption across Indian businesses. Around 63% of organisations are already using AI assistants and chatbots, the highest level among the APAC markets surveyed. Notably, none of the Indian organisations surveyed said they were operating without AI tools.

Shifting Focus to Measurable Outcomes

The focus is now shifting towards measurable business outcomes. As organisations move beyond initial implementation, the demand for tangible returns on AI investment is becoming the primary driver of corporate strategy.

Generative AI and Agentic Horizons

Generative AI remains the leading investment priority, but interest in AI agents is also growing rapidly. More than half of Indian organisations are prioritising investment in this area, while 69% expect to adopt agentic AI within the next year.

Workforce Readiness and Structural Challenges

India’s workforce readiness is another encouraging factor, with 70% of respondents believing their organisations provide adequate AI training. However, challenges remain, including regulatory uncertainty, skill shortages, system integration and data quality.