Most Indian Employees Use AI, But Companies Struggle to Prove It Works
Eighty-six percent of employees in India use artificial intelligence at work, yet only 35 percent say the technology has delivered returns that met or exceeded expectations. That's higher than the global average of 22 percent, according to a report from ISACA based on a poll of over 3,400 digital trust professionals, including 265 from India.
The disconnect between adoption and measurable value points to a deeper problem: organizations are deploying AI faster than they can govern it or understand its impact.
Governance Lags Behind Adoption
Forty-nine percent of Indian organizations now have a formal, comprehensive AI policy, up from 32 percent in 2025 and above the 38 percent global rate. But gaps remain significant. Twenty-three percent of organizations have only limited policies, and 20 percent have no active policy at all.
For product development teams, this governance gap creates real problems. Without clear policies, teams can't consistently measure whether AI investments are working or allocate resources effectively.
The ROI Question Remains Open
When asked about returns, Indian respondents gave scattered answers. Twenty-one percent said it's too early to tell. Another 21 percent cited limited ROI so far. Eighteen percent were unaware of any returns at all.
Keith Bloomfield-DeWeese, Senior Manager of AI Product Development at ISACA, said the uncertainty reflects reality. "Return on investment in AI doesn't arrive on schedule; it's the result of sustained investment in people, processes, and governance structures," he said.
How Companies Are Using AI Today
Indian employees most often use AI to increase productivity (56 percent), automate repetitive tasks (55 percent), create written content (51 percent), and analyze large amounts of data (42 percent).
Eighty-two percent of respondents said AI skills are very important to their profession. Thirty-five percent said their organizations now train all employees on AI, up from 22 percent in 2025.
Job Growth Expected
Fifty-seven percent of Indian respondents said their organization will increase AI-related jobs in the next 12 months, up from 46 percent in 2025.
For product development professionals, this signals where the industry is heading. Organizations are committing resources to AI, but many haven't figured out how to measure success. Understanding both the opportunities and the governance challenges will be critical as these roles expand. Learn more about AI for Product Development and AI for Executives & Strategy to stay ahead of these shifts.
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