According to a recent study by IBM , 59% of Indian enterprises have actively deployed AI, and over 74% have accelerated AI investment, primarily focusing on R&D, workforce skill development, and AI-oriented solutions. Major enterprises have successfully embedded AI into their core business processes which positions ITDMs to lead the next wave of tech transformation. AI investment is projected to reach $9.2 billion by 2028, according to research by the International Data Corporation. With this, the ITDMs in large to small-scale enterprises are focused on the integration and deployment of AI that fuels innovation, growth, and productivity.

AI is the blueprint for tomorrow. From fueling creativity to rewriting the rules of technology, its omnipresence is delivering all the right impact. The essence of how ITDMs and Indian enterprises have pivoted and adopted AI in its transformation was captured right in the “Canvas of Change – an event by Redington and Microsoft.

The evening unfolded with a fireside chat and visionary banter in the presence of legendary actor Kabir Bedi and Namit Sinha, Country Head DPSS, Microsoft India. The event was attended by top executives of different industries building on an interesting momentum on AI. Veteran Bollywood Actor, Kabir Bedi, reflected on how leveraging the power of AI amplified the art of storytelling, filmmaking, script analysis, set design, and production planning. He mentioned – “The true power of AI lies not in replacing human thought but enhancing it. Originality thrives when humans build on AI’s capabilities”. Living up to his flamboyant persona, he delivered an impactful message – “AI must ultimately work for me. I don’t work for AI.”

What are different industries saying about the power of AI?

Think of software consultants as your technology strategy partners.

Most industries agree that advanced AI capability builds the foundation for growth and innovation.  Artificial intelligence reshapes how industries operate, making decisions, and delivering. The event was attended by top industry leaders with decades of experience across tech and IT industries. Here’s a lowdown of what each of the industries has to say in implementing AI for their respective sectors.

At its core, software consulting focuses on:

• • Paint Industry – “The data quality challenge is real—but AI-powered document querying and CRM optimization are changing the game.” It enables demand forecasting, optimizing supply chains, and predicting colour trends based on customer sentiment.

• • BFSI Industry – As mentioned by industry veterans, BFSI industry is leveraging the power of AI in their operations for better customer service. “We’re using in-house teams to build AI solutions that transform customer acquisition and operations”.

• • Manufacturing Industry – AI is driving a new era of smart factors which include predictive maintenance, automated quality control, as well as real-time analytics. “Automation of core processes like invoice processing and shipment tracking is unlocking productivity and freeing teams to focus on innovation” – quoted a senior leader in the manufacturing industry.

• • Insurance Industry – “40+ AI models across underwriting, fraud detection, and HR, with a strong focus on governance and trust”.  AI-powered transformation helps with underwriting, fraud detection, and boostin overall employee productivity.

• • HR/Tech Industry – Most IT/Tech companies have integrated AI into their systems to simplify work, processes, and focus on upgrades. With AI taking over, it is also crucial to understand that AI amplifies productivity, but real problem solving still will always depend on human acumen. “AI is a part of our CXO goals, but the human touch in processes like HR remains vital” – said a senior HR executive from the IT/Tech industry.

• • Healthcare Industry – It’s leveraging AI for early disease detection, offering personalized treatment, and overall automation for patient outcomes. A prominent voice in the healthcare industry mentioned – “The sector is progressing with diagnostic tools built during the pandemic to “AI Nurse” apps and smart care solutions, all designed with patient privacy at the core.”

• • Logistics Industry – Numerous traditional sectors like logistics etc. are seeing tangible gains from AI. Highlighting the use of AI in the logistics industry, an expert said – “Domain-specific AI models are being scaled beyond pilots, driving measurable gains in operational efficiency and predictive planning.”

• • Media/Advertising Industry – This industry is at the front end of digital transformation to leverage operations, work on customer behavior, fuel creativity, and deliver hyper-personalized experiences on a scale. For example, in the advertising industry, AI has proved to be a crucial help in predicting campaign performance and refining the same in real-time.

• • Chemical Industry – Mentioning the role of AI in chemical industry, one of the top executives emphasized the role of Microsoft Co-Pilot and said – “With Microsoft Co-Pilot, invoice processing and shipment tracking are streamlined, freeing our teams to focus on growth.”

• • Real Estate Industry – AI has proved to be quite productive in real estate in predictive analytics, market analytics, property valuation, automation, and as chatbots for customer service. One of the top leaders mentioned – “We’re exploring voice-enabled AI to understand customer behavior and enhance sales engagement.”

No matter the industry type, adopting AI and building an internal task force has helped in unlocking strategic possibilities and streamlining operations. ITDMs across all industries have successfully integrated AI while navigating challenges around data, skills, and implementation.

How are ITDMs across industries adapting to AI?

IT decision makers (ITDMs) across Indian enterprises are rapidly adapting to AI by moving from isolated pilots to its deployment across large-scale enterprises. With the strategic focus shifting from initial experimentation to leveraging AI into the core business functions – it has significantly multiplied customer experience, driven digital transformation, focused on innovation, and streamlining operations. The urgency to keep up with evolving technology has surged AI adoption with over 69% enterprises planning to increase technology investment in 2025.

ITDMs across enterprises in India address key challenges such as data accessibility, AI skill gaps, and integration of complex technological processes. The government’s push for open data and creation of Centres of Excellence empowers ITDMs to build scalable, advanced AI applications aligned with business needs. Indian enterprises and ITDMs are setting a benchmark in inclusive AI adoption. ITDMs are adapting to AI across industries in numerous ways.

Integrating with core business areas

Implementing AI in the key business areas within the enterprises enhances customer experience, drives data-driven decision making, and optimizes productivity. AI-powered automation helps streamline workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and improve overall operational productivity. AI-driven analytics tools help ITDMs to extract valuable insights from large datasets. Also, it has helped in fortifying data and IT infrastructure through real-time monitoring of cyber threats.

Enhancing customer experience with AI

Indian enterprises with their integration of AI have transformed customer experience. Some of the use cases of AI are found in deploying chatbots, conversational AI, and intelligent automation along with personalized support. AI-powered voice agent successfully handles hundreds of calls in data, reducing manual workflow and saving operational costs.

Overcoming data challenges

While there is rapid adoption of AI, ITDMs face a challenge with data accessibility as well as is shortage of skilled AI professionals. Enterprises have started making massive investments in building internal AI taskforces by investing in upskilling and partnering with technology providers. Continuous learning and integration of AI in daily operations have helped in addressing the talent gap and knowledge friction.

 Building Scalable AI Solutions

Indian enterprises in collaboration with technology partners are co-developing numerous scalable AI solutions . Enablement of AI is happening at scale, and the industry-wide collaborations provide access to advanced tools, best practices, and domain expertise. This approach empowered ITDMs to implement numerous AI solutions that are scalable, secure, and adaptable.

AI has rapidly evolved from pilot projects to real-world deployment, delivering measurable gains in efficiency, productivity, and customer experience. Industries from different segments like BFSI, Manufacturing, Real Estate, IT, Paint & Industrial goods, Insurance, Consumer Services, Advertising, Wellness and more have a transformative impact with AI. It is becoming an enterprise-wide catalyst that delivers much-needed digital and technological transformation.