Indian Executives Lead Global Shift in Agentic AI Adoption

India at the Forefront of the AI Evolution

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, Indian business leaders are embracing agentic AI at an unprecedented pace. A recent global survey conducted by IBM and the University of Oxford highlights India’s prominent role in the adoption and strategic use of **agentic AI systems**—AI tools capable of autonomous operations and decision-making.

According to the survey, Indian executives are not only adopting these advanced technologies promptly but are also demonstrating a deeper understanding of their transformative business potential. The findings position India as a global leader in both the **integration and innovation** of agentic AI, surpassing counterparts in developed economies such as the U.S., U.K., and Germany.

What is Agentic AI?

Agentic AI refers to systems capable of taking autonomous actions based on environmental data and learned models. Unlike traditional AI that needs heavy human intervention or rules-based input, agentic AI can make decisions, adapt to new environments, and initiate tasks automatically.

These systems are being deployed in diverse sectors for:

• Workflow automation
• Predictive analytics
• Customer personalization
• Fraud detection
• Supply chain optimization

IBM-Oxford Survey: Key Findings

The IBM and Oxford Economics survey drew responses from over 3,000 C-suite executives across 28 countries. One of the standout conclusions was that **72% of Indian executives reported taking strategic actions to prepare for AI advancements**, compared to a global average of 59%.

Other key insights include:

• More than 60% of Indian respondents highlighted AI as central to their business models, demonstrating a clear alignment between technological foresight and strategic planning.
• Indian companies are investing more heavily in reskilling, setting up AI Centers of Excellence, and embedding AI in core business processes.
• Executives in India see AI as a tool for both operational efficiency and customer innovation, doubling its impact across internal and external dynamics.

Why Indian Businesses Are Winning at AI

There are several reasons behind India’s AI-forward momentum. These include a combination of forward-thinking leadership, an agile tech ecosystem, and a young, digitally skilled workforce.

1. Governmental Push on AI Innovation

India’s government has aggressively promoted artificial intelligence through initiatives like the **National AI Portal**, funding of AI-driven startups, and establishing **AI research hubs** across major cities. Public-private partnerships have enabled scalable and secure AI experimentation.

2. Tech-Savvy Workforce

With one of the highest concentrations of STEM graduates globally, Indian companies have access to a vast pool of data scientists, machine learning engineers, and AI architects. This talent pool is crucial for the rapid design, development, and deployment of agentic AI solutions.

3. Digital-First Enterprises

Indian enterprises, particularly in retail, banking, and telecommunications, have leapfrogged traditional digitization and are building AI-native ecosystems from day one. Companies like TCS, Infosys, HDFC Bank, and Reliance are setting the benchmark in AI-led transformation.

Focus on Ethical and Responsible AI

Interestingly, Indian executives are not only positioning themselves as tech adopters but also as **responsible AI stewards**. Nearly 65% of respondents from India emphasized the importance of **governance frameworks and ethical considerations** in AI deployment.

IBM India’s Managing Director Sandip Patel noted that “among the drivers of AI adoption, Indian leaders stand apart in prioritizing transparent, explainable AI practices that protect user privacy and comply with strict data governance norms.”

This contrasts with the lag in responsible AI practices in other global regions, where ethical frameworks are still being formalized.

Workforce Readiness and Talent Upskilling

Agentic AI demands a complete overhaul in how organizations approach work. Indian firms are ahead of the curve in:

• Launching AI certification programs both in-house and through partnerships with top universities
• Redefining job roles to reflect AI as a collaborative tool rather than a threat
• Incentivizing cross-functional learning related to data handling, decision science, and robotics

The focus is on creating what IBM terms the “AI+ human” model—organizations where AI augments rather than replaces human capabilities.

Barriers Still Remain

Despite the optimism, challenges persist:

• Infrastructure demands: AI adoption requires immense processing power, cloud infrastructure, and secure computing environments, which not all companies can afford.
• AI regulation alignment: As global norms for AI governance evolve, Indian businesses will need to ensure compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
• Change management: Organizational inertia and lack of AI literacy in leadership can slow implementation.

However, Indian executives surveyed seem confident in their ability to overcome these barriers through collaboration and incremental innovation.

Agentic AI Use Cases in Indian Enterprises

Several Indian enterprises are already demonstrating agentic AI in action:

Retail Giant Enhancing Personalization

An e-commerce platform in India uses agentic AI to dynamically personalize product recommendations in real-time based on browsing behavior, location, and purchase history. The system even autonomously adjusts marketing messages based on past responses.

Banking on Predictive Intelligence

Leading Indian banks are deploying agentic AI to detect fraudulent transactions by analyzing thousands of data points per second and taking preemptive corrective action—without human intervention.

Smart Supply Chains

A major FMCG company in India leverages agentic AI to manage its logistics operations. The AI actively reroutes deliveries based on predictive models of weather, fuel costs, and traffic, ensuring optimal efficiency.

The Road Ahead

As India accelerates into the future, agentic AI will remain a cornerstone of enterprise transformation. The country’s blend of digital infrastructure, skilled manpower, and policy support provides an ideal foundation for AI success.

Looking forward, businesses that build trust, cultivate talent, and innovate responsibly will cement their footholds in this rapidly shifting AI frontier. Indian executives have clearly demonstrated their readiness not just to participate in the AI revolution—but to lead it.

Conclusion

The findings from the IBM-Oxford Economics survey confirm what many in the tech world have already sensed: **India is becoming the global nucleus for intelligent, autonomous systems**. As agentic AI reshapes the enterprise world, Indian executives are ensuring that innovation meets responsibility, speed meets strategy, and ambition meets execution.

Indian businesses are no longer catching up to AI trends—they are setting them.

Keyword Tags: Agentic AI, AI adoption in India, IBM Oxford Survey, Autonomous AI, Ethical AI, Indian AI Strategy, AI Business Transformation, Future of Work India, Responsible AI Practices.