A staggering 92% of knowledge workers in India are using artificial intelligence (AI) at work, compared to the global average of 75%, according to the 2024 Work Trend Index released today by Microsoft and LinkedIn. The report, titled “AI at Work is Here. Now Comes the hard part,” highlights the rapid adoption of AI in the workplace and its impact on how people work, lead, and hire.
The survey, which included 31,000 people across 31 countries, also found that 91% of Indian leaders believe they need to adopt AI to stay competitive. However, 54% worry that their organisation lacks a clear plan and vision for AI implementation. Despite this, employees are eagerly embracing AI tools, with 72% of Indian AI users bringing their own AI tools to work (BYOAI).
“Data from the Work Trend Index shows that AI is now a reality at work, with India having one of the highest AI adoption rates among knowledge workers, at 92%,” said Irina Ghose, managing director of Microsoft India and South Asia. “This AI optimism presents a tremendous opportunity for organisations to invest in the right tools and training, to unlock efficiencies for employees and ultimately drive long-term business impact.”
The report also highlights the growing importance of AI skills in the job market. 75% of Indian leaders stated they wouldn’t hire someone lacking AI skills, outpacing the global average of 66%. Furthermore, 80% of leaders in India prefer to hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills over a more experienced candidate without them. LinkedIn data shows a 142x increase globally in members adding AI skills to their profiles and a 160% increase in non-technical professionals taking AI courses.
The study identified four types of AI users, ranging from skeptics to power users. AI power users in India are fundamentally reorienting their workdays, with 90% beginning their day with AI and 91% relying on it to prepare for the next day. They are also more likely to receive AI training and communication from senior leadership compared to other employees.
“AI is transforming the world of work, reshaping the talent landscape and nudging both individuals and organisations to embrace change,” said Ruchee Anand, head of Talent & Learning Solutions at LinkedIn. “As the workforce looks to tap into the benefits of AI, it’s crucial for leaders to boost their organisation’s AI capabilities through thoughtful investment in both technology and talent.”
Microsoft announced new capabilities in Copilot for Microsoft 365 to help people get started with AI, including more conversational features, proactive recommendations, and improved prompt experiences. LinkedIn also announced over 50 free learning courses to empower professionals at all levels to advance their AI aptitude.
As the adoption of generative AI at work has nearly doubled globally in the last six months, Indian leaders face the challenge of moving from experimentation to tangible business impact. The 2024 Work Trend Index provides insights into how AI is shaping the future of work and the steps organisations can take to harness its potential.
