Autodesk has released its AI Pulse Report 2026, highlighting India’s growing position as one of the most AI-ready markets in the Asia-Pacific region. The report, unveiled at the Autodesk Design & Make Summit India in Mumbai, shows that Indian organisations are increasing investment, expanding AI adoption and preparing their workforces for wider use of artificial intelligence.
According to the report, 91% of Indian organisations increased their AI investment during the past year, compared with 85% across APAC and 81% globally. AI adoption is also widespread, with 63% of Indian organisations using AI assistants and chatbots, the highest rate among the APAC markets surveyed. None of the Indian organisations covered in the survey reported operating without AI tools.
Indian businesses also show strong confidence in the ability to use AI securely. 93% of respondents said their organisations can protect business data while using AI, the highest figure recorded among the markets included in the study. In addition, 87% of Indian respondents said their organisations are actively exploring new markets, placing India at the top among the countries surveyed for expansion plans.
The report indicates that companies are moving beyond AI trials and beginning to measure its impact on business performance. Nearly 88% of Indian respondents said AI has improved productivity, while 84% reported better innovation outcomes and 75% said AI is supporting improved decision-making.
Generative AI remains the leading investment priority, with 74% of organisations planning investment in the technology. Process automation follows at 58%, while 54% are prioritising decision-support AI. Investment in AI agents is also gaining momentum, with 51% of businesses identifying it as a priority. Further, 69% expect to adopt agentic AI within the next year.
“India’s rapid AI adoption reflects far more than technology uptake. It signals the country’s growing leadership as a global innovation and engineering powerhouse,” said Haresh Khoobchandani, Vice President, APAC & Japan, Autodesk. He added that AI is becoming an important tool for industries such as manufacturing, infrastructure, construction and architecture.
Workforce preparedness is another strong area for India. 70% of respondents believe their organisations provide sufficient AI training, compared with 57% across APAC and 59% globally. Leadership support is also high, with 88% saying senior executives actively encourage AI adoption.
However, organisations continue to face challenges, including regulatory uncertainty, skills shortages, data quality and system integration. The report is based on a survey conducted with Statista Plus Research during January and February 2026, covering 2,500 industry leaders and experts across multiple global markets and sectors.
Autodesk provides technology used by designers, engineers, builders and creators to design and make products, buildings, infrastructure and entertainment. Its Design and Make Platform combines data, automation and digital tools to help customers improve business and project outcomes.
