Indian economy could get USD 675 billion due to AI by 2038, study shows

• A study by Accenture says GenAI could add billions to Indian economy
• The study added that 31 percent of working hours in India could be automated
• Indian economy could be up by as much as USD 675 billion by 2038

In the last two years, there have been many debates about the possibility of AI replacing human beings at their jobs. Various tech experts have expressed their opinions on this. While there is one section of people saying that AI will make it easier for human beings to do their jobs, there is another section that fears being replaced altogether.

Talking about the section that thinks AI will help humans do their jobs better, various experts have said in the past that AI will focus on mundane aspects of a job so that human beings can be fully focused on more challenging and creative parts. And a new study by Accenture seems to support this argument. Moreover, the study also says that due to the use of generative AI, Indian economy could be up by as much as USD 675 billion.

GenAI could add USD 675 billion to Indian economy

According to the study by Accenture, adopting a people-centric approach to GenAI could potentially add USD 675 billion to India's economy by 2038. This transformative impact hinges on a bold vision for reinvention, underscored by strong data and technology foundations, and an intentional approach to workforce development.

The Accenture study highlights that the deployment of GenAI could automate approximately 31 percent of working hours in India. This significant shift is expected to contribute a 0.6 percentage point increase to the annual GDP growth, showcasing GenAI's potential as a powerful economic driver. However, the journey to harnessing this potential is fraught with both opportunities and challenges.

For the unversed, generative AI, a subset of artificial intelligence, involves machines generating text, images, or other media in response to prompts. This technology has far-reaching implications for industries ranging from capital markets to retail, banking, insurance, and software platforms. Globally, these sectors are expected to witness the automation or augmentation of 49% to 71% of working hours due to GenAI.

31 percent automation in India

The Accenture study also highlights that in the Asia-Pacific region, the impact of GenAI is anticipated to be substantial, with Australia and Japan seeing the highest impact at 45% and 44% of working hours, respectively. For India, the projection of 31% automation signifies a seismic shift in how businesses operate and how work is performed.

Saurabh Kumar Sahu, Lead for India Business at Accenture, underscored the necessity of a bold vision for reinvention. He said that the scaled and responsible deployment of GenAI can drive revenue growth and act as a force of change, reinventing functions across industries. However, unlocking the real value of GenAI requires businesses to have robust data and technology foundations.

"The scaled and responsible deployment of generative AI can not only drive revenue growth but also act as a force of change that can reinvent almost all functions across industries. To unlock its real value, businesses need to have a bold vision for reinvention anchored in a strong data and technology foundation. This, coupled with an intentional approach to skilling, is crucial to succeed in the age of generative AI," Sahu said in a statement according to a report in Business Standard.

89 percent businesses plan to increase AI spending

Despite the promising prospects, there is a critical gap in preparation that could hinder the effective integration of GenAI. The Accenture study reveals that while 89% of businesses plan to increase spending on AI, only 35% prioritise workforce development. Moreover, a mere 4% of business leaders have implemented GenAI training at scale.

This disparity underscores the urgent need for comprehensive skill development programs. As organisations embrace GenAI, equipping the workforce with the necessary skills is important to ensuring that the technology's implementation is both effective and sustainable.

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