86% of Indian firms expect sustainability to generate over 5% in long-term business value: Autodesk

As many as 86% of Indian organisations expect sustainability measures to generate more than 5% of annual revenue in long-term business value, while 33% expect the impact to reach 10% or more, according to Autodesk’s latest State of Design & Make report.

The survey found that 83% of Indian respondents said sustainability initiatives made their companies more competitive. Another 80% said their company was leading the way in sustainability in its industry, up from 76% in 2025.

Among specific measures, 50% said they had used artificial intelligence (AI) to improve sustainability, 47% had invested in energy-efficient processes or machinery and 40% had adopted circular practices such as using recycled materials.

The India findings are based on responses from 462 people across architecture, engineering, construction and operations; design and manufacturing; and media and entertainment.

AI adoption advances, skills remain a constraint

Indian businesses also reported growing confidence in AI, though implementation remains a work in progress. Some 64% said they were approaching or had achieved their current AI goals. About 57% were integrating AI into design workflows, while 44% were implementing AI-driven automation.

The share of respondents who believe AI will enhance their industry rose to 88% from 78% in 2025. Nine in 10 said AI would make their industry more creative, compared with 80% a year earlier.

“India’s AI journey is entering a more practical phase. Businesses are moving beyond asking what AI can do to focusing on where it can create real value, from improving productivity and accelerating innovation to helping teams make better decisions,” said Haresh Khoobchandani, APAC and Japan vice-president at Autodesk.

Skills shortages remain a constraint. Some 40% cited a lack of technical knowledge or skills as a barrier to implementing digital solutions, while 36% pointed to a shortage of trained or skilled workers. Although 58% were investing in AI training and development, 37% were hiring for AI skillsets. Data safety and security skills were a priority for 49%, followed by data science and management skills at 47%.

Digital gains are uneven

The survey found mixed results from digital transformation. The share reporting increased innovation, better ideas or designs rose to 48% from 39% in 2025. Another 43% said digital transformation had improved planning and decision-making, up from 32%.

But the share reporting improved profitability fell to 42% from 47%, while those reporting better productivity declined to 48% from 51%.

About 30% of Indian organisations said they prioritised digital transformation and invested aggressively, up from 28% in 2025. Another 45% said they had implemented initiatives and made substantial progress. Some 85% also said future company growth would depend on digital tools, up from 82% in 2025.

Global AI spending set to rise

Globally, 60% of respondents were still in the middle or early stages of achieving their AI goals, or had not started. Nevertheless, 75% of global business leaders plan to increase AI investment over the next three years.

Technological advancements, including AI, were cited as the top organisational challenge by 40% of global respondents, up from 31% in 2025, overtaking cost control and management.

The global report draws on responses from 5,500 leaders and experts across 23 countries.