The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) by Indian enterprises is on the rise, with 59 percent of businesses already deploying AI, according to a report by IBM. The report highlights the positive impact of AI adoption, while also acknowledging the hesitancy of many businesses to move beyond experimentation and implement AI at scale. Sandip Patel, Managing Director of IBM India & South Asia, emphasized the importance of data and AI governance tools to ensure responsible AI models and build trust within enterprises. Without these tools, companies may encounter data privacy issues, legal complications, and ethical concerns.
The IBM Global AI Adoption Index, conducted by Morning Consult on behalf of IBM, found that 59 percent of IT professionals at large organizations have actively deployed AI, while an additional 27 percent are exploring the use of this transformative technology. Furthermore, six out of 10 IT professionals at enterprise companies report that their organizations are actively implementing generative AI.
The survey also revealed that 74 percent of professionals at companies exploring or deploying AI have accelerated their investment in or rollout of AI over the past two years. This increased investment is primarily directed towards areas such as research and development (R&D), reskilling employees, workforce development, and the development of proprietary AI solutions.
Despite the progress, there are still barriers hindering successful AI adoption in enterprises. Limited AI skills and expertise, as reported by 30 percent of respondents, remain a significant obstacle. Furthermore, 28 percent cited a lack of tools or platforms for developing AI models, while 27 percent find AI projects too complex or difficult to integrate and scale. Ethical concerns were voiced by 26 percent of respondents, while 25 percent found the complexity of data to be a challenge.
The growing adoption of AI by Indian enterprises reflects the potential that this technology holds for various industries. It is crucial for businesses to continue investing in AI and address the barriers to adoption to fully harness its benefits. With the right governance, skills, and tools in place, AI can play a pivotal role in driving innovation, improving efficiency, and transforming enterprises across India.
