Autodesk has released the fourth edition of its annual State of Design & Make report, revealing how Indian organisations are moving beyond digital adoption towards deeper integration of artificial intelligence (AI), digital technologies and sustainability into the way they operate and grow.
The 2026 findings highlight three key trends shaping Indian organisations:
- AI is moving from ambition to integration
- Digital transformation is delivering measurable business outcomes
- Sustainability and digital capabilities are increasingly shaping future resilience
As per the report, 64% of Indian organisations are either approaching or have already achieved their current AI goals. While 88% believe AI will enhance their industry, up from 78% in 2025, and 90% believe it will make their industry more creative, up from 80% in 2025. At the same time, 85% say future company growth will depend on using digital tools, up from 82% in 2025, signalling the growing role of technology in business growth and competitiveness.
AI moves from ambition to integration
AI is increasingly becoming embedded in how Indian organisations work. 57% are integrating AI into design workflows, including generative design, simulation and content creation, while 44% are implementing AI-driven automation. Organisations are also investing in the capabilities needed to scale AI, with 58% investing in AI training and development and 37% hiring for AI skillsets.
Confidence in AI is also high, with 84% trusting AI technologies for their industry, up from 79% in 2025, and 86% confident their companies will make the right decisions regarding AI, compared with 82% in 2025. Meanwhile, 82% say their leaders are well-informed on AI and 83% have dedicated people responsible for AI integration.
“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, APAC & Japan VP, 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 transformation delivers measurable value
Digital transformation is increasingly translating into tangible business outcomes. 30% of Indian organisations now prioritise digital transformation and aggressively invest in it, up from 28% in 2025, while 45% have implemented initiatives and made substantial progress.
The benefits are being felt across the business: 48% report improved productivity, compared with 51% in 2025, and 48% increased innovation, better ideas or better designs, up from 39%. Another 43% say digital transformation has made it easier to plan and make better decisions, compared with 32% in 2025, while 42% report improved profitability, compared with 47% in 2025.
As transformation accelerates, organisations are also identifying the capabilities needed to sustain it. 40% cite a lack of knowledge or technical skills to implement digital solutions, while 36% point to a lack of trained or skilled workers. This is reflected in hiring priorities, with 57% prioritising the ability to implement or work with AI, followed by data safety and security skills (49%) and data science and management skills (47%).
Digital foundations are also strengthening: 82% have dedicated people responsible for managing or centralising internal data, while 76% are increasingly using APIs to connect and integrate systems across their organisations.
Sustainability and digital capabilities shape future resilience
Sustainability is increasingly being viewed not only as a responsibility, but as a source of business value. 86% of Indian organisations expect sustainability measures to generate more than 5% of annual revenue in long-term business value, including 33% expecting an impact of 10% or more.
Organisations are already taking action: 50% have used AI to become more sustainable, while 47% have invested in more energy-efficient processes or machinery and 40% have adopted more circular principles through the use of recycled materials. Meanwhile, 83% say their sustainability initiatives make their companies more competitive. This builds on a broader increase in sustainability confidence, with 80% saying their company is leading the way in sustainability in their industry, compared with 76% in 2025.
Together, the findings point to a broader shift in how Indian organisations approach transformation: AI, digital maturity, skills and sustainability are increasingly interconnected with how businesses innovate, compete and prepare for future growth.
