Nearly nine in 10 C-suite leaders in India plan increased AI investment in 2026

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A new survey finds 88% of Indian C-suite leaders will boost AI spending this year, making revenue growth a priority despite talent constraints.

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Almost nine in 10 C-suite leaders in India plan to increase their investments in artificial intelligence this year, according to a recent survey, signalling strong corporate confidence in AI’s role in business transformation.

The Accenture Pulse of Change survey, which covered thousands of executives across industries, found that 88 % of C-suite leaders in India will raise their AI budgets in 2026, with 69 % viewing AI as more beneficial for revenue growth than cost reduction.

Despite optimism, talent shortages remain a key hurdle. About 27 % of executives cited lack of skilled AI professionals as the top constraint on realizing value from their investments, even as organisations push forward with deployment.

“Business leaders in India are doubling down on AI with conviction, but the path from early wins to long-term value continues to anchor on skilled talent,” said Saurabh Kumar Sahu, MD and lead for India business at Accenture. “The biggest barrier is no longer technology — it is ensuring employees feel equipped, included and confident as AI reshapes how work gets done.”

The survey also found that 41 % of organisations are actively deploying AI agents across functions, while 39 % of C-suite leaders use generative AI tools daily. Only 24 % are redesigning roles to support AI adoption, suggesting a gap between investment intentions and organisational readiness.

Despite these challenges, most executives remain bullish. More than half say they will keep increasing AI investments and expand hiring even if an AI bubble were to burst, and 79 % plan to boost overall hiring in 2026.

The findings reflect an accelerating shift toward AI-led strategies across Indian enterprises, with leaders prioritising revenue growth, efficiency gains and competitive differentiation in a fast-evolving digital landscape.