India emerges as the frontrunner in artificial intelligence adoption across the Asia Pacific region, with 56% of metro adults actively using generative AI in 2025, according to new research from Forrester. The study reveals a complex trust landscape where Indian consumers demonstrate both the highest AI knowledge levels globally and nuanced perspectives on AI’s societal impact.
The research, based on Forrester’s comprehensive survey of AI attitudes across Asia Pacific markets, examined consumer perceptions, usage patterns, and trust dynamics in India, Australia, and Singapore. The methodology included surveys of online adults across metro areas, analyzing demographics, AI knowledge levels, institutional trust, and regulatory expectations to provide enterprise leaders with actionable insights for AI strategy development.
Key Takeaways::
- AI Knowledge Leadership: India demonstrates exceptional AI literacy with 63% of adults knowledgeable about artificial intelligence, significantly outpacing Australia (18%) and Singapore (26%). Only 5% of Indian adults report not understanding AI, the lowest rate globally. Millennials emerge as the most tech-savvy demographic, with 69% demonstrating strong AI comprehension, creating a critical workforce advantage for technology-driven businesses.
- Trust Paradox Reveals Strategic Opportunities: While 45% of Indians view AI as a serious societal threat, 66% of knowledgeable consumers trust AI-provided information, creating a unique market dynamic. This paradox indicates that AI literacy drives both heightened awareness of risks and greater confidence in AI capabilities. Indian consumers show markedly higher trust in AI tools, with 64% trusting language translation services compared to just 27% in Australia and 38% in Singapore.
- Institutional Trust Favors Established Players: Indians place highest confidence in long-established companies (58%) and big tech organizations (58%) for managing AI risks, followed by highly regulated institutions (52%). This trust pattern significantly exceeds levels seen in Australia and Singapore, where private sector trust typically falls below 25%. The findings suggest that brand heritage and regulatory compliance serve as critical trust drivers in the Indian market.
- Consumer Fears Center on Digital Security: Despite high AI adoption rates, 73% of Indians express concern about online scams, while 67% worry about identity theft and disinformation campaigns. Deepfakes concern 66% of respondents, highlighting the need for robust security measures and transparent AI implementation strategies. These concerns present both challenges and opportunities for enterprises to differentiate through enhanced security protocols and ethical AI practices.
“India’s AI landscape presents a remarkable combination of high adoption, sophisticated understanding, and pragmatic scepticism,” said Vasupradha Srinivasan, principal analyst at Forrester. “The data reveals that Indian consumers are not just early adopters, they’re discerning users who understand both AI’s potential and its risks. For global enterprises, this creates an environment where transparency, security, and institutional credibility become competitive differentiators. The 59% of Indians who believe governments should regulate AI, combined with 52% who trust their national government to manage AI risks, suggests a market ready for responsible AI innovation rather than unchecked technological deployment.”
The research indicates that India’s position as an AI leader stems from rapid technological integration, with generative AI usage jumping from 44% in 2024 to 56% in 2025. This growth, coupled with the highest institutional trust levels in the region, positions India as a critical market for AI-driven business strategies. The findings suggest that successful AI implementation in India requires balancing innovation with ethical considerations, leveraging the country’s tech-savvy workforce while addressing legitimate consumer concerns about digital security and misinformation.
Enterprise leaders should recognize that India’s AI sophistication demands elevated standards for AI governance, transparency, and consumer protection. The research shows that knowledgeable consumers are more likely to trust AI when implemented by established, regulated organizations, creating opportunities for companies that prioritize responsible AI development and clear communication about AI capabilities and limitations.