Indian Firms Leading Global Shift Toward Dedicated AI Leadership

Indian Firms Leading Global Shift Toward Dedicated AI Leadership

Published Date: 19 Jun 2025

In a significant development, Indian organisations are at the forefront of embracing artificial intelligence, with a substantial number of firms appointing dedicated AI executives to spearhead the adoption and implementation of generative AI innovations. A recent report by a leading cloud services provider has shed light on this trend, highlighting the growing recognition of AI as a transformative technology that requires strategic leadership and a structured approach to change management.

The report, which studied 415 senior IT decision-makers across various industries in India, found that as many as 83 per cent of organisations in the country have appointed a dedicated AI executive, namely a Chief AI Officer, to drive the adoption of generative AI. Moreover, another 15 per cent of organisations are planning to appoint a dedicated AI executive by 2026, underscoring the increasing importance of AI in Indian businesses.

The study also revealed that although CEOs, CTOs, and Chief Innovation Officers are leading most generative AI innovation initiatives, new leadership structures are emerging to meet the demands of this rapidly evolving technology. The appointment of dedicated AI executives is also creating new opportunities for AI-skilled talent at the highest levels of organisations. Notably, 64 per cent of organisations have Gen AI as their top priority in their budget for 2025, followed by security and compute.

The report's findings suggest that Indian organisations are prioritising AI transformation through various leadership roles and organisation-wide strategies. However, it also highlighted that 75 per cent of organisations do not have a change management strategy to help employees navigate a future shaped by Gen AI, a number that is expected to drop to nine per cent by the end of 2026. As many as 43 per cent of Indian organisations have fully integrated Gen AI into their workflows, and 98 per cent of organisations are using Gen AI tools.

The widespread adoption of Gen AI in India is not merely about technology adoption; it's about cultivating a mindset of continuous innovation and harnessing AI as a strategic lever to reimagine customer experiences and rearchitect how work gets done. The report also pointed out gaps in talent development and training, with 81 per cent of organisations having created Gen AI training plans, and 11 per cent planning to develop one by the end of 2025 to meet the growing demand for AI talent.

The report's findings have significant implications for Indian businesses, highlighting the need for strategic leadership, change management, and talent development to unlock the full potential of Gen AI. As Indian organisations continue to lead the global shift toward dedicated AI leadership, it is likely that we will see a surge in innovation and adoption of AI technologies, driving growth and transformation across various industries.

In conclusion, the report highlights the growing importance of AI in Indian businesses, with a significant number of organisations appointing dedicated AI executives and prioritising AI transformation. As the adoption of Gen AI continues to gain momentum, it is essential for organisations to develop strategic leadership, change management strategies, and talent development plans to unlock the full potential of this transformative technology.