STRATEGIC READINESS AND FINANCIAL RETURNS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ADOPTION IN THE INDIAN CONTEXT

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has rapidly evolved from a conceptual technology to a key business investment in India. While organizations across sectors are integrating AI to enhance competitiveness, there is a significant gap between hype-driven adoption and measurable value realization. This study investigates the return on investment (ROI) generated through AI implementations across Indian enterprises and evaluates their strategic readiness to deploy AI at scale. A mixed-method approach was used, combining a survey of 150 industry professionals with secondary research from market reports and policy papers. Descriptive and comparative analyses were conducted to understand the relationship between AI maturity, investment decisions, and organizational outcomes. The findings indicate that while AI promises strong financial and operational gains, many organizations still struggle with implementation challenges such as limited skilled talent, insufficient data infrastructure, and low leadership readiness. ROI is observed to be highest when AI deployment aligns with business strategy rather than being driven by experimentation or hype. The study highlights the importance of capability-building, ethical governance, and strong executive sponsorship for sustainable adoption. It concludes by proposing a readiness enhancement model tailored for Indian enterprises to help them transition from experimental AI adoption to scalable, value-driven transformation.