New Delhi: Artificial intelligence (AI) has not just arrived but swept us like a tsunami.
So much so that it is no longer an emerging trend, AI is already embedded in India’s work culture, according to the ETS Human Progress Report 2026.
The biggest revelation from the report is why people use AI.
The study found that around 78% of Indian workers said they use AI tools to stay competitive, not because they choose to. This is quite higher than the global figure of 65%.
Hence, AI
can no longer be seen as an optional skill or a productivity boost; it’s a basic requirement to remain relevant in the job market.
The report shows that 42% of work tasks in India involve directing AI tools, compared to the global average of 32%.
With AI becoming an integral part of jobs, workers are looking for ways to measure their capabilities.
As high as 89% of respondents in India said they want clearer benchmarks to understand how their AI skills compare with others in their industry.
Even as the pressure to learn AI is rising, cost of training is a major concern.
Around 83% of Indian workers are worried whether they can afford the training needed to stay competitive, highlighting a gap between demand for skills and access to learning opportunities.
Almost all respondents – 97% to be precise — in India said they expect the government to support skill development.