Indian firms lead AI optimism globally, 93 pc expect positive returns in 3 years
New Delhi: Most Indian companies—about 93%—anticipate that their investments in artificial intelligence will yield positive returns within three years, a figure that tops every other country included in the survey, the report announced on Monday.
Co‑authored by SAP, the German software giant, and Oxford Economics, the study found that Indian firms reported an average ROI of 15% on AI projects in 2025, expecting this figure to climb to roughly 31% over the next two years.
This year, businesses in India are pouring $31 million into AI, surpassing the worldwide average of $26.7 million. The spending is concentrated on software, infrastructure, skilled personnel, and consulting services.
Corporate AI expenditures are projected to grow by an average of 33% over the next two years. This surge should lift the ROI to 15% this year—about $5.7 million on average—doubling to 31% (≈$15.3 million) within two years.
“AI is transforming how businesses operate, not just by automating tasks, but by enabling smarter, faster decisions across mission‑critical processes,” said Philipp Herzig, Chief Technology Officer at SAP SE.
More than half of the Indian respondents—56%—reported satisfaction with the current ROI, and 58% believe that AI projects will deliver positive returns faster than other technology initiatives, the highest rate seen globally.
With over 600,000 professionals, India represents 16% of the global AI workforce, cementing its status as a major talent hub, according to Sindhu Gangadharan, Managing Director of SAP Labs India and Head of SAP Customer Innovation Services.
“This depth of digital talent is enabling enterprises to shift from pilots to performance, embedding AI into decisions, operations, and customer experiences,” she added.
The findings are drawn from a survey of 1,600 senior leaders in eight countries, including 200 participants from India.
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