New Delhi : Artificial Intelligence (AI) is emerging as the defining technology of the 21st century, and experts expect it to contribute nearly $15.7 trillion to the global GDP by 2030, according to a joint report released by FICCI and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) on Wednesday.
The report highlighted that over 66 per cent of developed economies have national AI strategies in place, compared to 30 per cent in developing nations and just 12 per cent in least-developed countries, showing a significant gap in AI adoption globally.
The AI race builds on four interdependent pillars: compute, data, models, and talent. While countries such as the US and China lead with comprehensive strategies, most economies still have untapped potential to accelerate AI deployment.
Sectors like financial services and retail integrate AI rapidly, driven by data-rich environments. Meanwhile, socially critical areas such as agriculture and public services lag due to fragmented infrastructure and funding challenges.
FICCI Director General Jyoti Vij said, “AI is not just a technological wave; it is a strategic race that will define economic and social leadership in the decades ahead. Together, we can ensure AI becomes a collective pursuit of progress that unlocks value for the world.”
Despite billions in investments, companies scrap nearly half of AI pilots before production, and fewer than one in eight prototypes reach deployment. Key barriers include siloed infrastructure, skills shortages, and resistance to cultural change.
The FICCI-BCG study pointed out that 70 per cent of AI adoption challenges arise from people and process issues, not technology. Organisations that invest in reskilling, cultural transformation, and workforce empowerment achieve the best outcomes from AI.
“Significant divergence exists in the global AI race. Most developed economies have national AI strategies, while many developing nations are yet to begin this journey,” said BCG Managing Director and Senior Partner Saibal Chakraborty.
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