India leads global AI readiness, but only 19% firms have begun implementation: JLL

Indian companies are among the most prepared globally to adopt artificial intelligence (AI), but a significant gap remains between awareness and execution, according to JLL's Future of Work Survey 2026. 

The study said while 77% of business leaders believe AI will transform workplace requirements, only 19% have started implementing changes to their office spaces and operations.

The survey, conducted during the first quarter of 2026, covered more than 2,200 CEOs, CFOs and real estate leaders across 21 countries. India outperformed the global average across all eight AI readiness indicators tracked by JLL, reflecting strong confidence in AI-led workplace transformation.

Despite growing adoption of AI, Indian businesses remain optimistic about its impact on employment. Around 58% of senior executives expect their workforce to expand over the next three to five years, while 62% believe AI will make employees more valuable instead of replacing them. Another 65% said employee performance will increasingly be measured by the quality of work rather than the number of hours worked.

However, the report highlighted that the biggest challenge facing organisations is no longer funding but a shortage of skilled talent. About 46% of respondents identified gaps in AI, technology and data skills as the primary barrier to transformation, compared with 35% who cited budget constraints.

“The companies that reframe this as a skills development challenge rather than a budget constraint—and invest in the 50% who are prioritizing AI support and infrastructure—will define India's workplace transformation over the next decade," said Ajit Kumar, Managing Director, Work Dynamics Accounts, West Asia, JLL. 

Indian companies are also investing heavily in AI-driven workplace upgrades. Half of the respondents said AI support and advanced technologies would be their top investment priority, while 49% plan to strengthen digital infrastructure to improve productivity. 

At the same time, businesses remain concerned about technology-related risks, with cybersecurity and data privacy (46%), AI-driven disruption (46%), and uncertainty over AI's impact on office space needs (39%) emerging as the top concerns.

The survey also found that office attendance remains high despite the rapid adoption of AI. Employees are expected to work from the office for an average of 3.8 days a week, with 62% of companies requiring staff to be present for four or five days.