78% Indian workers use AI tools to stay competitive, says ETS report
AI is no longer a future trend. It is already embedded in daily work across India.
The ETS Human Progress Report 2026 shows that 42% of work tasks in India involve directing AI tools. This is significantly higher than the global average of 32%.
This means nearly half of what many employees do today is already linked to AI in some form, from automation to decision support.
INDIA VS GLOBAL: THE AI PRESSURE GAP
| Tasks involving AI | 42% | 32% |
| Use AI to stay competitive | 78% | 65% |
| Want AI skill benchmarking | 89% | 76% |
India is not just adopting AI faster. Workers also feel more pressure to keep up.
USING AI OUT OF NECESSITY, NOT CHOICE
The biggest insight from the report is not how many people use AI, but why they use it.
Around 78% of Indian workers say they use AI tools to stay competitive, not because they want to. Globally, this stands at 65%.
This points to a shift in workplace culture. AI is no longer seen as an optional skill or a productivity boost. It is becoming a basic requirement to remain relevant in the job market.
DEMAND FOR PROOF OF AI SKILLS IS RISING
As AI becomes more central to work, workers are also looking for ways to measure their capabilities.
About 89% of respondents in India say they want clearer benchmarks to understand how their AI skills compare with others in their industry.
This reflects growing uncertainty. Workers are not just learning AI, they want proof that their skills are at par with market expectations.
TRAINING COSTS ARE A MAJOR CONCERN
While the pressure to learn AI is rising, affordability remains a key barrier.
Around 83% of Indian workers worry whether they can afford the training needed to stay competitive. This highlights a gap between the demand for skills and access to learning opportunities.
EXPECTATIONS FROM GOVERNMENT ARE HIGH
The responsibility, according to workers, does not lie only with individuals.
A massive 97% of respondents in India expect governments to support skill development. This includes funding and personalised pathways for workforce readiness.
FROM ADVANTAGE TO REQUIREMENT
The report makes one trend clear.
AI is no longer seen as a way to get ahead. It is increasingly seen as the minimum needed to stay in the game.
For millions of Indian workers, learning AI is no longer about innovation. It is about survival in a rapidly changing job market.
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