As the world pivots towards Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a defining force across work, learning, and daily life, India is emerging as one of the most optimistic and prepared nations for this technological shift. The Bosch Tech Compass 2024, a global survey examining people’s attitudes toward emerging technologies, reveals that India stands at the forefront of AI adoption and integration, driven by proactive learning, educational reforms, and a belief in technology's transformative power.
According to the survey, a striking 89% of Indian respondents believe that AI will play a vital role in everyday life in the near future. With four out of five people globally planning to upskill in AI, India is already leading the way—59% of Indians are either self-learning or enrolled in basic AI courses, placing the country ahead of both Europe and the United States in grassroots AI literacy.
Guruprasad Mudlapur, President of the Bosch Group in India and Managing Director, Bosch Limited, says, “Artificial intelligence is transforming the way we work. This year’s report emphasizes the accelerating need for AI skills in the workplace and how we can harness it for greater productivity and success. At Bosch, we recognize the opportunities AI offers and are integrating it responsibly, staying committed to fostering AI literacy and deployment.”
India Wants To Start Young
Education appears to be the cornerstone of India’s AI preparedness. While 63% of global respondents agree that AI should be taught as a standalone subject in schools, this sentiment resonates even more strongly in India. Indian schools and universities are already seen as actively equipping students with AI skills, and 60% of Indian respondents believe the government should spearhead efforts to mainstream AI education. This signals a broad ambition to build a tech-savvy generation equipped for an AI-defined future.
Spotlight Scenario
A few days ago, the Tamil Nadu government has announced that it is set to introduce AI and coding into the school curriculum for classes 6 to 9, starting from the 2025-2026 academic year. The State Council for Educational Research and Training (SCERT) is finalizing the syllabus with expert inputs and will soon commence teacher training for effective implementation.
This initiative aims to modernize education by equipping students with essential skills in AI and coding. To support this, the government has established high-tech labs in 6,029 higher secondary schools and plans to extend these facilities to 500 aided schools within the next three months.
Additionally, over 8,000 government middle schools are slated to receive high-tech labs, each equipped with ten computers by the end of this month. Furthermore, 22,931 primary schools are being upgraded with smart classrooms to enhance the learning environment.
In collaboration with Microsoft, Tamil Nadu has also launched the Technology Education and Learning Support (TEALS) programme in 100 government schools. This program is designed to bridge the digital divide and prepare students for a technology-driven future.
In May 2024, Kerala introduced AI learning in the Information & Communication Technology (ICT) textbooks for Class 7 students, impacting over 400,000 students. This initiative aims to provide uniform exposure to AI concepts across the state.
Karnataka & Telangana have begun integrating AI tools into government schools to enhance Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) skills. The use of AI-based learning aids is helping students grasp complex concepts more effectively and improving school attendance.
India’s Optimism Stands Out
The Bosch Tech Compass 2024 report also highlights India’s deep-seated belief in the positive impact of technological progress. An overwhelming 84% of Indians think technology will make the world a better place, with 63% naming AI as the most influential technology of the coming decade. Beyond personal or economic gains, Indian respondents also see AI as a key tool to tackle global environmental challenges, reflecting a growing alignment between technological advancement and sustainable development goals.
Balancing Progress With Responsibility
Despite the enthusiasm, Indian respondents remain aware of the ethical and social complexities surrounding AI. Concerns about job displacement in manual and cognitive roles, plagiarism, and widening social inequality are significant. Notably, 86% of Indian participants stressed the need for binding codes of conduct to govern AI use in corporate settings—signalling a strong demand for ethical AI frameworks to guide responsible innovation.
India’s Bold AI Imagination
The Bosch Tech Compass also captured the uniquely imaginative ways in which Indians envision AI’s future. From 68% believing AI could win a Nobel Prize, to 76% predicting humanoid robots breaking Olympic records, and 72% expecting AI to solve political conflicts, the findings paint a picture of a country not just ready for AI—but one that’s willing to dream big.
Global Pulse, Indian Momentum
Conducted across seven countries—including Germany, France, the UK, USA, Brazil, China, and India—the Tech Compass surveyed more than 2,000 Indian respondents, representing a diverse cross-section of age, region, and gender. The findings underscore a unique blend of pragmatism and ambition that defines India’s approach to AI: grounded in learning, driven by optimism, and guided by responsibility.
As AI reshapes industries and societies, India’s proactive embrace of AI literacy, innovation, and governance places it firmly on track to become a global leader in AI-powered transformation.
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