More than 55% of employees in India and the Middle East believe AI can significantly boost workplace productivity. According to Freshworks’ Global AI Workplace report, employees in these regions show the highest levels of AI usage and expertise, with 88% using AI-powered software solutions efficiently, saving an estimated two hours more per week than their global counterparts, who save around three hours and forty-seven minutes.
The report, which surveyed 7,000 professionals across HR, IT, customer services, finance, sales, marketing, and legal sectors, underscores the prominence of AI in India and the Middle East.
Areas of concern
Privacy and training emerged as areas of concerns, with 54% of Indian respondents admitting to using free versions of AI tools like ChatGPT. Globally, 30% of employees express concerns about the sources of AI information, indicating a risk of sensitive company data being exposed and used to train future AI models.
In these regions, the demand for AI expertise is high, with 70% of new hires expected to have some AI knowledge. This contrasts sharply with the US (33%) and UK (32%), where there is less emphasis on AI specialists. As AI becomes integral to business strategies worldwide, 46% of employees globally believe that companies not adopting AI are at risk of falling behind.
The report also highlights significant investment in AI in India and the Middle East. More than half (57%) of managers and higher-level employees plan to allocate more funds for AI-powered software in 2023. Senior employees agree that AI-enabled software can significantly impact businesses within two years, with 56% of managers, particularly in IT and Marketing, reporting better ROI from AI compared to other software.
Trust in AI tools is notably high in India, with 86% of employees expressing confidence in AI to improve their workflow. Adoption rates are equally strong, with 75% of leaders using AI solutions. Employees also advocate for stronger company policies around AI, with 68% favoring mandatory human reviews of AI outputs to enhance trust.
Sandie Overtveld, Freshworks’ Senior Vice President & General Manager APJ & MEA, commented, “This study presents a fascinating overview of AI adoption globally. We’re particularly impressed by the high levels of usage and expertise in India and the Middle East. However, privacy issues are a concern to many. To foster trust and fully realize the advantages of this technology, businesses must prioritize data protection and ethical AI practices.”
The report highlights that India is positioning itself as a global leader in AI acceptance and adoption. With high comfort levels, trust, and investment in AI, the country is poised to reap significant benefits from this rapidly evolving technology.