Masroor Ahmad
August 7, 2024

India leads in Asia Pacific in Gen AI Adoption: Deloitte Survey

A recent Deloitte report entitled "GenAI in the Asia Pacific: Young employees lead as employers play catch-up" revealed India's impressive lead in GenAI adoption across the Asia Pacific region. The article mentions a survey that included over 11,900 participants and positioned India at the forefront of GenAI use and development compared to 13 other countries.

Overview of the Deloitte survey

The Deloitte report examines a fascinating dynamic in  (GenAI) adoption across  Asia Pacific. While the region is experiencing a surge in GenAI use, a clear divide exists between young, tech-savvy individuals and established businesses.

The survey highlights a generation gap, with GenAI– young adults raised on AI-powered technologies – leading the charge in experimentation and application. This tech-forward demographic is leveraging GenAI's potential to streamline tasks, improve work-life balance, and enhance skill development.

However, the report also reveals a concerning lag among businesses. Despite the potential for increased efficiency and productivity gains, many companies are yet to fully embrace GenAI. This gap presents a significant opportunity for organisations to adapt and capitalise on the transformative power of this technology.

The report underscores the urgency for businesses to bridge this gap. With GenAI poised to impact billions of work hours, companies that fail to adapt risk falling behind. The potential benefits for employees and overall workplace satisfaction are significant, making GenAI a strategic imperative for businesses looking to thrive in the future of work.

Key findings

This Deloitte survey investigates the adoption of generative AI (GenAI) across the Asia Pacific region. Here are the key findings:

High Adoption Rates: Despite a strong overall adoption of Gen AI, there remains a substantial gap in businesses fully leveraging its potential. Only 29 percent of employees consider their organizations to be early adopters or innovators, indicating significant room for growth.

Employee Concerns: A large proportion of employees express concerns about the risks associated with Gen AI, including misuse of personal information (85 percent), creation of malicious content (83 percent), and legal risks (81 percent). Addressing these concerns is crucial for businesses to gain employee trust and maximize the benefits of Gen AI.

Training and Awareness: While 43 percent of employees use Gen AI for work purposes, 29 percent are unaware of any organizational measures to address its emergence. This points to a potential disconnect between senior leadership and employees regarding Gen AI strategies and initiatives.

Effectiveness of Training: Only 33 percent of employees have received formal Gen AI training, and among them, 35% are dissatisfied with the quality. Effective training is essential for employees to fully leverage Gen AI and realize productivity gains.

Why India Is leading the Gen AI adoption game

Here are some interesting factors for India’s lead in GenAI adoption. 

Proactive engagement

Indian businesses are more proactive in engaging with employees about Gen AI. Some 64 percent of employees in India have heard from their employers about Gen AI initiatives, compared to lower percentages in more developed economies like Australia (29 percent) and Japan (24 percent).

Higher satisfaction with training

Indian organizations are more likely to provide effective Gen AI training, which correlates with higher satisfaction levels among employees. This proactive approach in training helps employees better understand and utilize Gen AI tools, driving higher adoption rates.

Strategic integration

Indian companies are effectively integrating Gen AI into their core business strategies. By focusing on bespoke AI solutions tailored to specific industry needs, Indian businesses are maximizing the value derived from Gen AI technologies.

Supportive ecosystem

The overall ecosystem in India, including a strong presence of tech companies and a large talent pool, supports rapid Gen AI adoption. Collaboration with trusted partners and vendors ensures that employees receive up-to-date information and practical training

Cultural acceptance

There is a cultural openness to new technologies in India. Employees are encouraged to experiment with Gen AI applications, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous learning.

Deloitte's survey revealed a tech-savvy India leading the charge, with young adults embracing GenAI's potential to transform work and life. However, a concerning gap exists between individuals and established businesses. The message is clear: companies must bridge this gap or risk falling behind. With GenAI poised to revolutionise work, proactive engagement, effective training, and strategic integration – as demonstrated by India – are the keys to unlocking its transformative power.