AI’s Impact in India Will Surpass Other Nations, Says Adobe Chairman Shantanu Narayen

The implications of artificial intelligence (AI) in India are set to outpace those in any other country over the next few years, driven by its vast population and rapid digital adoption, Shantanu Narayen, Chairman and CEO of Adobe, said on Thursday.

Speaking at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Narayen emphasized that India’s scale and technological momentum uniquely position it to lead the next phase of AI-driven transformation. He noted that the sheer number of people using AI tools in India is expected to exceed that of any other country in the coming years.

“In terms of the implications, given the number of people who use AI in India will be greater than anywhere in the world over a few years,” Narayen said, highlighting the country’s rapidly expanding digital ecosystem.

He further pointed out that India is better positioned than many nations to democratize AI — making advanced technologies accessible to the masses rather than limiting them to enterprises or niche users. With widespread smartphone usage, affordable internet access, and a thriving startup ecosystem, AI adoption in India is likely to touch sectors ranging from education and healthcare to agriculture and small businesses.

Narayen also underlined India’s potential to play a global leadership role in shaping frameworks around data governance, privacy, and cybersecurity — critical pillars as AI systems become more deeply embedded in daily life and business operations.

As global economies race to integrate AI into their industries, Narayen’s remarks reflect growing confidence in India’s ability not just to adopt AI at scale, but to influence global standards and best practices in responsible AI development and deployment.