The World Bank’s AI Readiness Index, published on 12 April 2025, placed India 10th among emerging economies with a score of 23.8, a stark contrast to the United States’ 100 and China’s 53.8.
Yet the readiness gap is evident in usage data: only 4% of India’s 500‑million‑plus internet users reported using ChatGPT in April 2025, whereas 29% of U.S. users and 15% of Brazilian users did so.
Job postings paint a different picture. AI‑related vacancies rose from 2.2% of all listings in November 2022 to 6% in April 2025, a surge that began accelerating after late 2023.
Capital flows mirror the talent demand. In 2025, private investors poured US$4.1 billion into India’s AI ecosystem, ranking it sixth worldwide, behind the United States ($285.9 billion) and China ($12.4 billion).
The mixed signals mean India has a solid foundation but still faces a steep climb. To transform readiness into tangible growth, policymakers must focus on boosting AI adoption among everyday users.