7 in 10 Indian businesses plan to raise AI spending, but data readiness remains a major hurdle: Dun & Bradstreet

Indian businesses are stepping up investments in artificial intelligence (AI), but inadequate data preparedness and workforce capabilities could hamper their ability to translate spending into meaningful business returns. Nearly seven in 10 Indian businesses (69%) plan to increase AI-related expenditure over the next 12 months, even as only 3% consider their enterprise data fully ready to support AI deployment at scale, according to Dun & Bradstreet's latest AI Momentum Survey for Q4 2026.

The survey found that businesses with fully AI-ready data are 6.3 times more likely to report broad or strong returns on investment (ROI) than those whose data is only partially ready. While 30% of respondents reported broad or strong returns from AI initiatives, another 46% said they were seeing pockets of ROI, indicating that measurable benefits are emerging but remain uneven across organisations.

AI projects move beyond pilot stage

The survey indicates that AI adoption is gradually moving from experimentation towards operational deployment. Around 35% of businesses said their AI pilots were entering production, while 26% reported that AI had already been embedded across multiple core business processes. Only 2% said they had no AI projects.

Nearly 70% of respondents also expect AI to contribute to new products, services, business models or operational improvements in the next quarter. However, the proportion reporting strong, scaled returns remains limited at 10%.

Workforce preparedness trails technology adoption

Data readiness remains a significant concern for Indian enterprises. While 44% described their enterprise data as partially ready and 42% as mostly ready, only 3% reported full readiness. This compares with 8% globally, leaving Indian businesses five percentage points behind the global benchmark.

Workforce preparedness is another challenge. Only 25% of Indian businesses reported strong or very strong workforce readiness, while nearly half described employee capabilities as mixed. The survey also found that 44% of businesses had partially ready technology infrastructure.

Risk management remains a concern

AI governance and risk mitigation also require greater attention. Only 29% of respondents expressed strong or high confidence in their ability to identify, monitor and mitigate AI-related risks, while 53% reported moderate confidence.

"Trusted, connected and well-governed data, combined with an AI-ready workforce, will be critical to scaling AI responsibly and effectively," said Julian Prower, Executive Vice President, Global Business Operations & Transformation and Managing Director & CEO, India & Taiwan, Dun & Bradstreet.

The quarterly survey covers 10,000 businesses across 32 countries and tracks enterprise AI adoption, investment, deployment and business outcomes.