A Deloitte study reveals India is rapidly advancing in AI adoption across consumer-facing industries and business operations, positioning itself as a global leader in the AI revolution with potential to reach a $1.9 trillion consumer economy by 2030.
India has moved to the front of the pack in artificial intelligence adoption among the world’s 15 largest economies, according to a Deloitte India-FICCI study that says businesses are shifting from narrow productivity tools to wider operational use. The report, “Consumer Trends: IGNITEing Growth and Governance”, argues that AI is now being woven into customer engagement, product development, demand forecasting and supply chain management as companies look for faster decisions, lower costs and more personalised service.
Deloitte says the change is especially visible in consumer-facing industries, where retailers and fast-moving consumer goods groups are using AI for merchandising, pricing, stock control and planning. The report adds that AI-supported forecasting is helping firms reduce shortages and overstocking, while more advanced planning tools are making supply chains more resilient. It also points to growing interest in AI-assisted shopping and emerging agentic commerce, where intelligent systems help customers discover products, compare options and complete purchases more efficiently.
The shift comes as Indian consumers become more digital-first and more demanding about convenience, speed, transparency and personalisation. Deloitte says shopping behaviour is increasingly shaped by recommendation engines, creator-led platforms and digital discovery tools, forcing companies to rethink how they reach customers. The report also highlights a stronger preference for healthier and more transparent products: 74% of consumers review ingredient or nutritional information before buying, 63% consider formulations and ingredients, and 52% are willing to switch brands for better health and transparency standards.
Beyond the consumer experience, the study presents AI as a broader business capability rather than a stand-alone technology. It says companies are using it to sharpen decision-making, improve efficiency and redesign supply networks to cope with demand swings, geopolitical uncertainty and climate-related disruption. Deloitte also places AI alongside six structural trends shaping the sector, including connected commerce, stronger governance, sustainability and the growing international reach of Indian brands.
The report says India’s consumer economy could approach $1.9 trillion by 2030, with future growth depending on whether businesses can combine AI with resilient operations, connected commerce ecosystems and better consumer data. That view is broadly consistent with recent Deloitte findings showing rapid AI uptake in India more generally, including a 2024 survey in which India ranked first in GenAI adoption across Asia-Pacific and a later report suggesting the country is leading global peers in large-scale AI deployment across core business functions.
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