Indian CEOs ramp up AI investments but seek budget flexibility for innovation : IBM study

Indian CEOs are intensifying their investments in artificial intelligence (AI), signaling a decisive shift from experimentation to enterprise-scale execution, according to the latest IBM Institute for Business Value CEO Study. While enthusiasm for AI remains strong, the report reveals a growing tension between innovation ambitions and structural limitations such as budget constraints, fragmented technology landscapes, and talent shortages.

AI adoption accelerates, but ROI expectations remain elusive
Indian CEOs are embracing AI-driven transformation, with 51% already deploying AI agents and preparing for broader rollout. However, just 25% report expected ROI from AI projects so far, and a mere 15% have scaled them enterprise-wide. Despite this, the conviction remains: 64% say GenAI delivers value beyond cost reduction, and 66% confirm they now measure innovation ROI with clear metrics.

Data and architecture: the next competitive frontier
A robust data backbone is emerging as essential for AI to thrive. 58% of CEOs identify integrated ...