93% Of Indian Students, 83% Of Employees Lead GenAI Adoption In Asia Pacific: Report

A Deloitte report reveals that 93 per cent of Indian students and 83 per cent of Indian employees are actively using Generative AI, highlighting a significant generational divide in workplace technology use across the Asia Pacific. The study, which surveyed over 11,900 individuals in 13 countries, shows restricted managerial awareness.

This trend highlights the potential impact of GenAI on workplace dynamics. The report suggests GenAI could free up 17 per cent of working hours across Asia Pacific, translating to roughly 1.1 billion hours annually. Notably, Indian users reported the highest time savings, averaging 7.85 hours per week. This saved time allows employees to focus on skill development and potentially manage more sustainable workloads, ultimately boosting productivity.

Additionally, Across Asia Pacific, GenAI adoption appears to be outpacing traditional technology hierarchies. The report suggests that developing countries are witnessing a faster rate of GenAI adoption compared to developed economies within the region. This could potentially disrupt established technological hierarchies.

The study also found that GenAI users across the Asia Pacific reported benefits beyond just time savings. 86 per cent of Indian users reported faster task completion, while 85 per cent noted improved output quality and 83 per cent emphasised enhanced creative capabilities.

Chris Lewin, Asia Pacific's AI and Data Capability Leader, Deloitte commented on the report's findings, stating, "One of the most exciting aspects of working with GenAI is that it is happening everywhere, all at once. The challenges faced by businesses in Asia are almost immediately relevant to teams across the globe."

Lewin emphasised that rapid AI adoption is unlikely to directly eliminate jobs, but rather impact businesses that fail to adapt. He stressed that talent, particularly new entrants to the workforce, will gravitate towards businesses that embrace AI applications to reshape the future of work.

Anjani Kumar, Partner, Consulting, Deloitte India, added, "GenAI has revolutionised the approach and future of work. It allows us to work faster, better and more creatively, leading to more meaningful experiences for talent." However, Kumar acknowledged challenges to widespread adoption, including implementation complexities, risk aversion and knowledge gaps.

Kumar concluded by stating, "Leaders should leverage these technologies not just for efficiency gains but to fundamentally reshape business models and processes. Overcoming implementation hurdles requires proactive engagement and a comprehensive understanding of AI's capabilities among stakeholders."

The report by Deloitte Access Economics mapped 18 industries across Asia Pacific to assess the potential impact of GenAI. The study estimated that USD 5 trillion of economic activity could be significantly affected within a short timeframe. Notably, finance, ICT and media, professional services and education are expected to be the most impacted sectors.

Further, these industries also represent a significant portion of the Asia Pacific economies and employ a high percentage of GenAI-using students entering the workforce, potentially accelerating the pace of transformation.

The findings of the Deloitte report underscore the urgent need for businesses to develop and implement a GenAI strategy that integrates employees into the process. Empowering employees to participate in their AI journey and developing a robust data infrastructure are also crucial steps for businesses to embrace the transformative potential of Generative AI.