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Nine in ten Indian internet users are already using AI in some form or the other: Kantar AI research findings
Mumbai: The internet in India is democratized and widely used; but now the country sits on the cusp of an AI revolution. ICUBE* data shows that AI is already touching the lives of nine in ten internet users in India, powered by the enormous computing capabilities on their phones, connectivity, and cloud infrastructure. Kantar, the world’s leading marketing data and analytics business unveils a probe into this burgeoning AI market to dish out actionable insights for marketers. Furthermore, the company also unveiled an AI-powered suit of research solutions that will enable brands and brand builders to understand consumer behavioral data better and stay ahead of the curve in future.
The current AI user base of the country stands at 724 million and poised to grow YoY at six per cent. These are users who have used any of the AI features like image filters, personalized recommendations, smart devices, etc till now.
Kantar also found that ‘fitness’ and ‘social media’ apps are driving AI adoption with an average of 2.3 AI-led features embedded in these applications. ‘Entertainment’ apps are a close second, standing at 2.0 AI features on average. AI is also touching ‘digital commerce’ and ‘pharmacy apps’ at an average of 1.8 AI features each. Kantar also anticipates that many more digital commerce & entertainment apps will adopt AI features to enhance quality of customer experience and stay in line with the emerging trends. Adoption however is slower in the ‘BFSI’, ‘job search’ and ‘short video’ apps segments, at an average of 1.2 features each.
Adoption of AI among users is currently high for popular features while enhanced AI functionalities are catching up. Incidence among AI users in 2023:
1. 88 per cent consumers used AI-based algorithms which analysed their preferences, behaviours, and interests to create personalized recommendations for tailored experiences. This segment grew at six per cent YoY.
2 . 88 per cent consumer also automated various tasks and streamlined routines to enhance efficiency and productivity in their daily lives using AI. This segment grew at six per cent YoY.
3 . 86 per cent used ‘image enhancement filters’ so that the resulting image is improved in terms of sharpness, contrast, brightness or with other features. This segment grew at five per cent YoY.
4 . At 21 per cent, ‘smart home automation’ is a smaller segment but growing at 25 per cent YoY.
5 . 15 per cent consumers enhanced their ‘user experience through virtual assistants’. This segment is the fastest growing at 27 per cent YoY.
While AI technologies are touching most internet users of India today, their usage is expectedly higher among the youth (19–24-year-olds) at 92 per cent and interestingly, at a high 81 per cent for the older (45 plus year old) age bracket as well.
Speaking about AI and addressing the marketers, Kantar MD & chief client officer – South Asia, insights division Soumya Mohanty said “AI is inevitable. Historically, technology adoption has always been a dominant determinant of a brand’s trajectory. We at Kantar feel that it is important to help marketers humanise AI to innovate successfully, help activate AI to predict future performance, maximize ROI and use AI strategies to build competitive advantage for sustainable growth. We have created a range of offerings which will benefit marketers and consumers by extension. LINK AI is one such solution, which helps evaluate creative effectiveness at scale and has helped uncover new insights into creating better video ads on YouTube which has a proven track record of growth, following Google’s ABCD framework. Similarly, we have introduced best in class offerings like LIFT ROI, Trend AI and NeedScope AI for various stages of brand growth as well.”
Kantar Sr executive director, South Asia, insights division Puneet Avasthi added “Generative AI is set to become a $1.3T market by 2034 with a possible 42 per cent CAGR growth over the next 10 years. We are sitting at a point of inflection where the next few years will enable a competitive edge between businesses who adopt early and others. As the usage of AI grows rapidly, it is critical for marketers to not use AI in isolation and as a gimmicky fad, but weave in consumer behavioral data into it to remove biases, continue to focus on building equity and not just to run activations. Kantar is at the forefront of this AI revolution and is assisting brand builders to strengthen creative testing, innovation using it’s AI based solutions.”
MAM
Ad:tech honours 2026: Full list of winners announced
Expanded awards spotlight winners across 22 categories as industry doubles down on intelligent automation
NEW DELHI: Marketing’s tech elite took the spotlight as the ad:tech honours 2026 returned with a sharper focus on AI, data and immersive media, signalling how deeply technology now underpins brand strategy. Held at Yashobhoomi on March 17, the second edition drew industry leaders to celebrate innovation that is reshaping engagement and performance.
Presented with the International Advertising Association India chapter and new partner Huella, the awards expanded from 8 to 22 categories, tracking the rapid convergence of creativity, automation and analytics.
The winners’ list reads like a snapshot of marketing’s future. In affiliate and partner marketing, Lyxel & Flamingo – Boat and Paytm Ads – Giva took silver. Mobavenue Media Private Limited struck gold in AI-driven dynamic creative optimisation, alongside a silver for Laqshya Media Limited.
Creative AI collaboration saw Rediffusion Brand Solutions Private Limited win gold, with Saltinc Consulting Private Limited securing silver. Laqshya Media Limited continued its strong run, taking gold in AI conversation agents and adding multiple wins across categories, including silver in GenAI-led creative and both gold and silver in interactive DOOH campaigns for Tanishq and Tata Coffee.
Predictive AI honours went to Strong Metrics and Tyroo, both silver, while Orient Bell Limited picked up silver in immersive retail tech. In GenAI-led creative, Laqshya Media Limited, Salt – Kotak and Sumimoto each secured silver, reflecting the crowded race in generative creativity.
Publicis bagged silver in influencer management and gold in performance marketing, where it shared the stage with Arm Worldwide and The Trade Desk, both silver. Glad U Came Private Limited stood out with gold in influencer measurement and analytics.
Marketing automation saw CereOne Media Pvt. Ltd. and Globale Media win silver, while ADMOTT Private Limited claimed silver in OTT innovation.
Programmatic media categories highlighted the shift to advanced targeting and connected screens. Mobavenue Media Private Limited clinched gold in connected TV advertising, with Animmoov Digital Media Pvt Ltd – Asus and Lyxel and Flamingo taking silver. Cheggout Services Private Limited won silver in retail media advertising, while Paytm Ads – Versuni secured gold.
On social platforms, Vayner Media India took gold in community and UGC engagement, with Under 25 – Oppo winning silver. Segumento rounded off the list with silver in the innovation category.
Jaswant Singh, country managing director at ad:tech India, underscored the momentum, saying generative AI and data-driven decision-making are now central to marketing impact. Neena Dasgupta, IAA mancom member and chief executive and founder at The Salt Inc Consulting, added that the awards celebrate not just technology, but “the people, the creativity, and the relentless effort behind it.”
Backed by Comexposium Group, ad:tech New Delhi has long tracked digital disruption. Now, with the honours, it is rewarding those who are not just adapting to change but engineering it.
In an industry racing towards automation, the message from 2026 is unmistakable. The future of marketing will be written not just in ideas, but in algorithms.
