India Leads APAC in Purposeful AI Adoption for Sustainability

India is outpacing the APAC region in using AI to drive sustainability, with over half of its businesses integrating AI into eco-friendly strategies.

FREMONT, CA: India is at the forefront of the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region in leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) for sustainability. Indian businesses are increasingly integrating AI into their core strategies, a trend that sets them apart in the region. This strategic alignment with AI boosts efficiency, fosters innovation, and creates a long-term impact.

The report reveals that 52 per cent of Indian companies are already using AI to support environmentally responsible initiatives, a figure well above the global average of 39 per cent. This places India at the forefront of the APAC region, showcasing a trend where Indian firms integrate AI for efficiency and meaningful, sustainable outcomes. AI adoption is still gaining ground in many parts of the world, but Indian companies are already using it to tackle environmental and business challenges. Rather than treating sustainability as just a regulatory requirement, many companies in India now see it as a competitive advantage. AI is not just a buzzword, but a practical tool helping them streamline operations, reduce waste, cut energy use, and design greener products.

There’s a promising connection between sustainability and business success. A significant 86 percent of Indian leaders are optimistic about their sustainability efforts, believing that it could potentially add over 5 percent to their annual revenue. Among more digitally advanced firms, 84 percent affirm that their sustainability focus aids talent attraction and retention, compared to 67 percent of less mature firms. These figures underscore the financial benefits of going green and instill a sense of optimism about the future of business in India.

Indian companies are not merely dabbling in AI, but strategically leveraging it. This shift is transforming sustainability into a catalyst for growth. From the development of smart cities to the advancement of clean energy and efficient manufacturing, AI is playing a pivotal role in how Indian businesses are innovating with a clear purpose.

Despite a slight decline in confidence in companies making the right AI decisions, from 85 percent last year to 81 percent this year, and an overall drop in trust in AI from 82 percent to 79 percent, Indian businesses remain steadfast in their commitment to AI. Their focus on skill-building, digital maturity and sustainable innovation positions them as global leaders in the APAC region, using AI to create a better, greener future.