AI interest soars in India Yet only 31% adoption

A new study by Google and Kantar shows that while interest in AI is booming across India, actual usage remains limited, with only 31% having tried generative AI tools. Despite low familiarity, most Indians are eager to use AI to boost creativity, productivity, and communication.

Despite the growing excitement around artificial intelligence, only 31% of Indians have actually used a generative AI tool, according to a recent study by Google and Kantar. Covering more than 8,000 individuals across 18 cities, the nationwide survey reveals that while awareness is still limited, interest and aspirations related to AI are rapidly gaining momentum, especially in areas like enhancing creativity, productivity, and communication in daily life.

The study highlights a notable gap between enthusiasm and actual experience. Although 60% of respondents remain unfamiliar with AI, a significant majority expressed a strong desire to engage with such tools to better their lives. Specifically, 72% want to boost their productivity, 77% aim to enhance their creativity, and 73% are eager to improve communication effectiveness.

Early users of Google’s AI platform, Gemini, are already reporting substantial benefits. As per Google, 92% of Gemini users in India believe the tool has increased their confidence, 93% feel it has made them more productive, and 85% say it helps them think more creatively. “Gemini represents Google’s most advanced AI model, pushing the limits of what’s possible — from dynamic video creation with Veo 2 to intuitive conversations through Gemini Live,” said Manish Gupta, Senior Director at Google DeepMind. “Our goal is to create a truly personal, helpful assistant for everyone.”

Shekar Khosla, Vice President of Marketing at Google India, added, “We’re seeing real emotional impact — 92% of users feel more confident in their daily lives thanks to Gemini. It’s encouraging to see how it’s empowering people across ages, regions, and languages.”

The survey also finds that beyond the workplace or classroom, Indians are looking for AI tools to assist in everyday tasks. From planning trips to managing budgets, 76% of respondents seek help to save time. Moreover, 84% hope to incorporate greater creativity into their daily lives, whether by assisting children with homework or exploring hobbies like cooking.

However, users encounter several persistent challenges. Getting started proves difficult for 68% of respondents, and 52% cite a lack of skills or guidance as a major hurdle. These obstacles are far from insignificant — 61% of Indians admit to abandoning a professional or creative aspiration due to such barriers. Confidence issues also loom large: 73% worry about how their message or tone is perceived, while over two-thirds report feeling blocked when trying new activities, from experimenting in the kitchen (71%) to organising travel (67%).