New Delhi— India has emerged as the global leader in workplace adoption of generative AI tools, with 92 percent of the workforce using such technology regularly—well above the global average of 72 percent, according to a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) released Thursday.
While AI adoption has gone mainstream across industries worldwide, BCG notes that real business value is being unlocked primarily by companies that are reengineering workflows and prioritizing employee training and leadership development.
In India, enthusiasm around AI is high, but so is anxiety. Nearly half (48 percent) of Indian workers fear their jobs could vanish within the next decade due to AI and automation.
“Indian employees are among the most eager adopters of AI, but they also rank among the most apprehensive,” said Nipun Kalra, Managing Director and Senior Partner at BCG India. “India is in the global top three for integrating AI agents into workflows, with 17 percent of employees already doing so. However, only around one-third feel adequately trained to leverage AI effectively.”
Vinciane Beauchene, BCG’s Global Lead on Human x AI and co-author of the report, emphasized that companies seeing the most success are those taking a comprehensive approach.
“Organizations that reshape their workflows and invest in people are outperforming others,” Beauchene said. “But long-term success hinges on having a clear people strategy to manage how AI affects jobs, employees, and the broader workforce.”
The report underscores that proper training is key to maximizing AI’s value. Globally, only 36 percent of employees feel they have received sufficient training. Those who undergo at least five hours of hands-on, guided instruction—especially in person—are significantly more likely to become consistent users of AI tools.
Crucially, companies benefiting most from AI are not just adopting new technology, but redesigning operations to elevate strategic decision-making and allow employees to focus on higher-value work.
The report also notes a rising trend in the use of AI agents—digital assistants capable of independently performing tasks—further shaping the future of work. (Source: IANS)
