Deloitte’s latest ‘State of AI in the Enterprise’ survey for 2026 reveals a pressing issue for business leaders worldwide: the necessity to evolve from merely piloting artificial intelligence (AI) technologies to fully integrating them into the core of their organizations. This shift is deemed essential for harnessing the true potential of AI, as companies are encouraged to redesign their core processes and operating models. The report emphasizes that while automation is a key component, it is equally important for human strengths—such as judgment, creativity, empathy, and relationship building—to be highlighted rather than sidelined.

In particular, the report shines a spotlight on Indian firms, illuminating a stark contrast between their AI adoption levels and the overall expertise required to maximize its benefits. The survey suggests that although Indian enterprises are outpacing their global counterparts in AI adoption rates, they are significantly lagging in the level of specialist expertise necessary to leverage these technologies effectively.

The insights in this report stem from a comprehensive survey conducted among 3,235 high-level respondents, ranging from directors to C-suite executives, across six different industries including consumer goods, energy, financial services, life sciences, technology, and government services. These insights were gathered from 24 countries, highlighting a global perspective on AI’s current state, and supplemented by interviews with 15 global C-suite executives well-versed in AI and data science.

For the Indian market, the findings are particularly noteworthy: a notable 94% of Indian organizations anticipate that their AI budgets will increase in the upcoming year. This figure reflects a growing recognition among these firms about the critical importance of AI in enhancing operational efficiency and driving better business outcomes. However, only 0-4% of these organizations possess a high level of AI expertise, trailing behind the global average of 2-8%. This reveals a concerning capability gap that Indian firms must address if they wish to compete effectively on a global scale.

In terms of operationalization, 40% of Indian respondents reported significant or full usage of AI technologies, compared to a much lower global average of approximately 28%. This indicates that Indian companies are not just content with the notion of piloting AI, but are actively working to embed it into their business processes to unlock near-term productivity improvements. Yet, the report identifies several barriers that hinder the full realization of AI’s potential. Regulatory and compliance demands emerge as the leading obstacles, accounting for 39% of responses, followed closely by resistance to change at 34%.

Interestingly, organizations seem to face less pressure from cost constraints (12%) and infrastructure limitations (5%), suggesting that the primary hurdles to scaling AI involve governance readiness and the need for a broader change in operating models. This points to a critical area for investment and strategic focus for Indian enterprises, as they seek to shift from adoption to effective transformation through AI.

Moreover, nearly all surveyed organizations (97%) expect to see productivity improvements from their integration efforts. This signals a shared optimism within the Indian business landscape about the transformative potential of AI. S Anjani Kumar, a notable expert in the field, suggests that the future landscape of AI will be shaped less by mere access to technology and more by the capacity of organizations to build institutional capability, embrace governance frameworks, and align their workforce with new operational paradigms.

As Indian firms endeavor to transition from AI adoption to a deeper transformation, they will need to invest in cultivating trust and developing necessary skills. Those that strategically invest in these areas today are likely to find themselves in a better position to convert initial advantages into long-term successes. The urgency for companies to evolve their approach to AI integration resonates strongly within Deloitte’s findings, serving as a clarion call for Indian businesses to elevate their game and match the global expertise required in a rapidly transforming digital economy.