India Leads Asia Pacific in Generative AI Adoption
India has emerged as the leader among 13 countries in the Asia Pacific region in the adoption and use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI), according to report. The report, titled 'Generative AI in Asia Pacific', is based on a survey of 11,900 individuals across the region and highlights India’s impressive engagement with GenAI, with 93% of students and 83% of employees actively utilizing the technology.
The survey indicates that the rapid adoption of GenAI in India is being driven by tech-savvy, young employees, referred to as 'Generation AI'. This group is leading the way in integrating GenAI into their work routines, presenting both new challenges and opportunities for employers who must adapt to these technological advancements. Generation AI is credited with saving work hours, creating new skill development opportunities, fostering more sustainable workloads, and increasing overall productivity.
The report projects a dynamic trajectory for GenAI adoption in India, with a predicted 182% increase in daily usage over the next five years. This growth underscores the potential of GenAI to significantly impact the business landscape, with 75% of Indians believing in its ability to elevate Asia Pacific’s role in the global economy. Furthermore, 83% of respondents expressed confidence in GenAI’s potential to enhance social outcomes.
Despite the widespread use of GenAI by students and employees across the Asia Pacific, the report found that only 50% believe their managers are aware of their engagement with the technology. GenAI is expected to affect 17% of working hours across the region, equating to approximately 1.1 billion work hours annually. The rapid adoption of GenAI in developing countries is particularly notable, with a 30% adoption rate that surpasses that of developed economies in the Asia Pacific.
Indian users of GenAI report significant time savings, with an average of 7.85 hours saved per week compared to the regional average of 6.3 hours. This time saving enables employees to acquire new skills and supports more sustainable workloads and productivity. According to the report, 41% of time savers believe that GenAI has improved their work-life balance.
However, the report also highlights that three-quarters of businesses are lagging behind in GenAI adoption, as per their own employees. Chris Lewin, Asia Pacific’s AI and data capability leader, noted the global relevance of the challenges faced with GenAI adoption. 'One of the most exciting aspects of working with GenAI is that across the globe, it is happening to everything, everywhere, all at once', Lewin said. He emphasized that the rapid adoption of AI is unlikely to directly eliminate jobs but will significantly impact businesses that fail to adapt.
Lewin further pointed out that employees, especially new talent, will be attracted to rival businesses that offer AI applications capable of reshaping the future of work. 'GenAI has revolutionized the approach and future of work. Unlocking newer possibilities can help us do things faster, better, and in a more creative way, leading to more meaningful experiences for talent', said Anjani Kumar, partner, consulting. Kumar stressed the importance of addressing implementation challenges and deepening the understanding of GenAI’s capabilities to fully leverage its transformative potential.
Leaders are encouraged to use GenAI not only for efficiency gains but also to fundamentally reshape business models and processes. Overcoming implementation hurdles requires proactive engagement and a comprehensive understanding of AI’s capabilities among stakeholders. The report suggests that businesses that successfully integrate GenAI will be well-positioned to harness its benefits and drive future growth.
