The fourth edition of the annual State of Design & Make report shows Indian organisations moving past simple digital adoption. Consequently, they are weaving AI, digital tools, and sustainability into how they run and grow.
The 2026 report points to three trends. AI is moving from ambition to integration. Digital transformation is delivering measurable results. Sustainability and digital skills are shaping future resilience.
AI Moves Into Daily Work
64% of Indian organisations are close to, or have already met, their current AI goals. 88% believe AI will improve their industry, up from 78% in 2025. 90% believe it will make their industry more creative, up from 80%. 85% say future growth depends on digital tools, up from 82%.
AI is now part of how teams work. 57% use it in design workflows, such as generative design, simulation and content creation. 44% use AI-driven automation. To scale it, 58% are investing in AI training and 37% are hiring for AI skills.
Confidence is high. 84% trust AI for their industry, up from 79%. 86% are confident their companies will decide wisely on AI, up from 82%. 82% say their leaders are well informed on AI, and 83% have people dedicated to AI integration.
Haresh Khoobchandani, APAC & Japan VP at Autodesk, said India’s AI journey is entering a practical phase. Businesses are asking where AI creates real value, he said, not just what it can do. The next step is to build AI into the workflows where people design, build and make. That takes connected data, the right skills and the ability to fit AI into existing ways of working.
Digital Transformation Shows Results
30% of organisations now prioritise digital transformation and invest aggressively, up from 28%. Another 45% have launched initiatives and made solid progress.
48% report better productivity, down from 51% in 2025. 48% report more innovation and better designs, up from 39%. 43% say planning and decisions are easier, up from 32%. 42% report higher profitability, down from 47%.
Skills remain a hurdle. 40% cite a lack of knowledge or technical skills, and 36% point to a lack of trained workers. 57% now prioritise hiring for AI skills. Data safety and security (49%) and data science and management (47%) follow.
The base is firming up. 82% have people responsible for managing or centralising internal data. 76% use APIs more to connect their systems.
Sustainability as a Source of Value
86% expect sustainability measures to add more than 5% of annual revenue in long-term value. For 33%, the figure is 10% or more.
Action is under way. 50% have used AI to become more sustainable. 47% have invested in more energy-efficient processes or machinery. 40% have adopted circular practices, such as recycled materials. 83% say sustainability makes them more competitive. 80% say they lead their industry on sustainability, up from 76%.
The findings point to one shift. AI, digital maturity, skills and sustainability are increasingly linked in how Indian businesses innovate, compete and prepare for growth.
