Mumbai, Oct. 14 -- Indian businesses are being reshaped as AI integrates, digital transformation delivers outcomes, and sustainability drives resilience.

Indian organisations are moving beyond digital adoption to deeper integration of artificial intelligence (AI), digital technologies and sustainability, according to the fourth edition of Autodesk's annual State of Design & Make report.

The 2026 findings highlight three key trends shaping Indian businesses: AI moving from ambition to integration, digital transformation delivering measurable outcomes, and sustainability increasingly shaping resilience.

Autodesk found that 64 per cent of Indian organisations are either approaching or have achieved their AI goals. Confidence in AI is rising, with 88 per cent believing it will enhance their industry, up from 78 per cent in 2025, and 90 per cent saying it will make their industry more creative, up from 80 per cent last year. At the same time, 85 per cent of respondents said future growth will depend on digital tools, reinforcing technology's role in competitiveness.

The 2026 survey included 462 respondents across architecture, engineering, construction and operations (AECO), design and manufacturing (D&M), and media and entertainment (M&E).

AI Integration Deepens

AI is increasingly embedded in workflows, with 57 per cent of organisations integrating it into design processes such as generative design, simulation and content creation, while 44 per cent are implementing AI-driven automation. Investment in skills is also rising, with 58 per cent funding AI training and 37 per cent hiring for AI expertise. Confidence levels are high: 84 per cent trust AI technologies for their industry, and 86 per cent are confident their companies will make the right decisions on adoption.

"India's AI journey is entering a more practical phase. Businesses are moving beyond asking what AI can do to focusing on where it can create real value, from improving productivity and accelerating innovation to helping teams make better decisions. The next step is to embed AI into the workflows where people design, build and make, rather than treating it as a standalone technology," said Haresh Khoobchandani, Vice President of APAC & Japan, Autodesk.

"This will require more than investment in AI itself. Connected data, the right skills and the ability to integrate AI into existing ways of working will determine how effectively businesses turn adoption into lasting impact."

Digital Value Realised

Digital transformation is increasingly translating into tangible business outcomes. Thirty per cent of Indian organisations now prioritise digital transformation, while 45 per cent report substantial progress. Benefits include improved productivity (48 per cent), stronger innovation (48 per cent), better decision-making (43 per cent) and enhanced profitability (42 per cent).

However, skills gaps remain, with 40 per cent citing a lack of technical knowledge and 36 per cent pointing to shortages of trained workers. Hiring priorities reflect this, with 57 per cent focusing on AI implementation skills, followed by data safety (49 per cent) and data science (47 per cent).

Sustainability Drives Resilience

Sustainability is increasingly seen as a source of business value. Eighty-six per cent of organisations expect sustainability measures to generate more than 5 per cent of annual revenue, with 33 per cent expecting 10 per cent or more. Half of respondents have used AI to become more sustainable, 47 per cent have invested in energy-efficient processes, and 40 per cent have adopted circular practices such as recycled materials. Eighty-three per cent said sustainability initiatives make their companies more competitive.

Together, the findings point to a broader shift in how Indian organisations approach transformation: AI, digital maturity, skills and sustainability are now interconnected with how businesses innovate, compete and prepare for future growth.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Infrastructure Today.