India Emerges as a Global Leader in Workplace AI Adoption: ADP Research

19 May, 2026

Half of employees globally use AI multiple times a week, with one in five (20%) using it nearly every day.
India leads globally in AI adoption, with 80% of employees using AI multiple times a week and 41% using AI daily.
Frequent AI users report higher engagement and lower negative stress than non-users, but are more likely to question their productivity.

Chennai, India, 19 May, 2026 – Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming part of everyday work, with half of workers surveyed globally using it multiple times a week, according to ADP Research’s latest People at Work 2026 report. One in five workers say they use AI almost daily, highlighting how quickly the technology has evolved into a routine workplace tool.

India stands out as a global leader in this shift. A striking 41% of employees in India report using AI nearly every day, and 4 out of 5 (80%) employees use it at least multiple times a week – the highest levels recorded across all surveyed markets.

However, the findings also reveal a growing disconnect between AI adoption and perceived productivity. While 30% of daily AI users report being fully engaged, they are also four times more likely than non-users to say they feel less productive. This suggests that as AI takes over routine tasks, employees may feel their contributions are harder to quantify and evaluate.

This shift is particularly pronounced in India, where widespread adoption means many employees are already navigating new expectations around output, value, and performance.

"India is among the leading adopters of AI at work, but high adoption alone does not guarantee greater productivity. Many employees carry a quiet anxiety about the future of their careers, and whether AI is making their contribution harder to measure,” said Rahul Goyal, managing director, ADP India and Southeast Asia.

“As AI takes on more routine and checklist-driven tasks, employees are increasingly focusing on work that requires judgment, creativity, and human connection. This shift calls for a rethinking of how organisations define and measure productivity. Employers have a critical role to play in helping their workforce build confidence with AI, integrate it meaningfully into daily workflows, and develop the skills needed to thrive alongside it. Ultimately, the organisations that succeed will be those that invest in making their people more adaptable, not just more efficient."

Frequent AI Users Report Higher Engagement and Lower Stress

The use of AI can contribute to a more positive workplace experience. According to the report, 11% of daily AI users report experiencing negative stress, roughly half the rate of non-users (23%).

Frequent AI users also report stronger team dynamics. They are more likely to say they are part of a work team and more likely to report being on the “best team” at work. Daily users are also more likely than less frequent users to feel their jobs are safe from elimination, indicating a strong link between regular AI use and job confidence.

Dr. Nela Richardson, chief economist, ADP, said, "AI is not only changing how work gets done, but also how people feel at work. Our data shows that frequent AI users report higher engagement and lower stress. But they also feel less productive. Employers that help workers transition to new ways of working with the technology can better foster a workplace where AI feels less like a disruption and more like a teammate.”

AI Adoption Varies Across Regions

AI usage varies widely across markets. India (41%), Nigeria (39%), and Vietnam (36%) lead globally in terms of daily AI usage.

In India, the report highlights several key trends shaping AI use at work across demographics and work types:

Employees in India are optimistic about AI, with 31% feeling that AI will positively impact their job responsibilities in the coming year, second highest after Nigeria.
Knowledge workers feel the most certain about AI with 37% feeling that AI will positively impact their job responsibilities, notably higher than skilled task workers (21%) and repetitive task workers (19%).
Employees aged 18-39 are the most frequent AI users, with 43% of them using AI almost daily.
Women in India are using AI more frequently than men, with 44% using AI nearly every day at work compared to men at 40%.
In India, the use of AI by employees nearly every day remains high across small companies (1-249 employees) and large companies (1,000 or more), with India topping the charts.
The share of employees using AI nearly every day increases with firm size, with 54% of employees in large companies (1000+) using AI daily, compared with 39% in mid-sized firms (249-999) and 32% in small firms (1-249).

Read the full report here.

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About “People at Work 2026” Report Series Methodology

People at Work 2026 features survey findings derived from ADP Research's annual Global Workforce Survey of more than 39,000 working adults in 36 markets to uncover global workforce sentiment, an examination of how people are navigating the complexities of a changing world. The report presents worker sentiment data sifted by geography, job type, and other dimensions, providing employers with a fine-tuned and granular view of the global workforce that can be used to better understand their workforce and drive growth through data-driven talent decisions.

The 2025 Global Workforce Survey collected responses between July 21 and August 4, 2025, from a random sample, stratified by age and gender, of more than 39,000 working adults in 36 markets, to provide regional and market comparisons of worker sentiment. Respondents come from a wide variety of industries, educational backgrounds, on-site and remote work environments, work types, and skill sets. They represent a range of management and individual contributor roles, working for employers of all sizes.

To view the latest People at Work 2026, in addition to previous versions, visit here: People at Work: A Global Workforce View | ADP

About ADP Research

The mission of ADP Research is to make the future of work more productive through data-driven discovery. Companies, workers, and policymakers rely on our finely tuned data and unique perspective to make informed decisions that impact workplaces around the world. To subscribe to monthly email alerts or obtain additional information about ADP Research, including employment and pay data, methodology, and a calendar of release dates, please visit https://www.adpresearch.com.

About ADP (NASDAQ: ADP)

ADP has been shaping the world of work with innovation and expertise for more than 75 years. As a global leader in HR and payroll solutions, ADP continuously works to solve business challenges for our clients and their workers, from simple, easy-to-use tools for small businesses to fully integrated platforms for global enterprises — and everything in between. Always Designing for People means we're focused on just that – people. We use our unmatched AI-driven insights and proven expertise to design innovative solutions that help people achieve greater success at work. More than 1.1 million clients across 140+ countries rely on ADP's exceptional service to support their people and drive their business forward. HR, Talent, Time Management, Benefits, Compliance, and Payroll. Learn more at ADP.com

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