AI is no longer the future; it’s India’s present growth story. According to the BCG Report, from personalised eyewear fittings to cost-efficient content creation, artificial intelligence is becoming the engine powering India’s digital economy.
India’s artificial intelligence (AI) market is on a steep growth curve, projected to reach $17 billion by 2027, three times its current size. According to a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG), titled “India’s AI Leap: BCG Perspective on Emerging Challengers”, the country is fast emerging as one of the world’s most vibrant AI economies.
Talent and Infrastructure to fuel the surge
India already boasts over 600,000 AI professionals and is on track to double this number to 1.25 million within the next two years. With 16% of the global AI talent pool, second only to the United States, India is well-positioned to lead AI innovation globally.
This boom is supported by strong digital infrastructure—Aadhaar, UPI, and ONDC—combined with more than 700 million internet users and a rapid rise in AI start-ups, with nearly 2,000 launched in the last three years.
AI in action: Indian companies scale up
BCG highlights how Indian firms are moving beyond pilot projects to large-scale AI deployments that deliver business value:
Razorpay uses AI to automate 80% of customer onboarding tasks such as form filling and validation.
Lenskart deploys AI-powered virtual try-ons and face-mapping for a personalized shopping experience.
Pocket FM cut content production costs by up to 90% and created over 100,000 hours of audio using generative AI.
NoBroker accelerates property listings using AI-driven image verification tools like Iris.
A Roadmap to Scale AI Successfully
The report presents a framework to guide organizations in scaling AI responsibly and effectively:
BCG’s 70/20/10 principle, which emphasizes people and processes over just technology.
Five critical enablers: modern tech stacks, cross-functional teams, AI centers of excellence, workforce reskilling, and ethical AI practices. Tools like behavioral nudges and personalized learning to drive AI adoption.
India’s AI Moment is Now
“AI is no longer optional—it’s foundational,” said Mandeep Kohli, Managing Director and Partner at BCG India. “India’s AI leaders are standing out not because of technology alone, but through bold leadership, strong talent pipelines, and cultural change management,” he added.
The report ends with a call to action: Indian enterprises must treat AI as a core business strategy. It suggested that those who act decisively will shape not just their industry, but India’s global digital future.