- Nearly half of business leaders expect a revenue increase of more than 15% within ten years as a result of AI
- Agentic AI is becoming a priority and 35% of organizations call it a top priority
CHICAGO, January 7, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The era of efficiency is over and the race for growth has begun. According to new research From Thoughtworks, a global technology consultancy that integrates design, engineering and AI to drive digital innovation, 77% of business leaders have shifted their AI strategies from cost savings to growth and innovation. For large companies the shift amounts to 92%.
The study surveyed 3,500 IT decision makers and C-suite leaders, along with 3,500 consumers in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, India, Brazil, Singapore and Australia.
The results show that AI is rapidly evolving from a back-office tool to a driver of top performance. Twenty-seven percent of global executives expect 10% revenue growth from AI in the coming year. India and Brazil are the most optimistic, with 49.2% expecting a sales increase of more than 15% within five years in each market. Germany is more cautious at 28.8% and Australia at 20%. Nearly half of world leaders expect AI to deliver more than 15% revenue growth within ten years.
India has emerged as the unequivocal global pacesetter in this shift, far outpacing Western markets. While the global average for innovation adoption is 77%, an overwhelming 92% of Indian organizations have already made the transition. This confidence is reflected in financial forecasts: 49.2% of Indian leaders, the highest globally, expect AI to deliver more than 15% revenue growth within five years. Moreover, contrary to global fears of job displacement, India is leading the world in AI-driven job creation. 57.1% of organizations report a net increase in roles, largely driven by world-leading adoption of ‘Agentic AI’ technologies (48.6%).
Agentic AI is also emerging as a clear dividing line in the speed at which regions develop. Globally, 35% of leaders say AI is now a top priority. India leads with 48.6%, followed by Singapore with 40.8% and Britain with 40%. Brazil is at 28.2% and the United States matches this at 28%, while Australia reports 23.4%. Germany lands close to the global average at 31%, showing steady interest but slower acceleration.
“This marks a structural shift in the way organizations plan their growth,” he says Rachel Laycock, Head of Technology at Thoughtworks. “Leaders no longer ask how efficient they can become. They ask how expansive they can be. The organizations that move the fastest are integrating AI into the core of how they work.”
The research also shows a significant change in boardrooms worldwide. More than half of companies surveyed now have a Chief AI Officer. Acceptance of the role is highest in India and Brazil and lower in Australia and Germany, which lag behind the global average. Of organizations with a CAIO, 72% say the role includes budget authority and responsibility for return on investment.
“The CAIO role is no longer experimental,” he said Shayan Mohanty, Chief AI Officer at Thoughtworks. “It’s central to the strategy. The companies that stand out from the rest are the ones that make AI part of their foundation rather than a side project.”
Consumers are still not convinced
While business confidence is rising, many consumers remain uncertain about how AI will impact their daily lives. Globally, 21 percent say AI will have no impact on them in the next five years. In the United Kingdom this rises to 38% and in the United States to 32%. Skepticism is lower in markets like Brazil and India, where consumers report higher exposure to AI-enabled services. Concerns also vary widely by region. Fears of disinformation are greatest in the United States and the United Kingdom, while demand for transparency is greatest in Brazil and India.
Despite these concerns, a majority of consumers report positive experiences with AI. Seventy-two percent say AI adds value to their work or personal life. A quarter say AI has helped them learn a new skill and 13% say they have used AI to create a new revenue stream.
AI is reshaping talent and job growth
The findings challenge common fears that AI will lead to widespread job losses. Globally, 84% of business leaders say AI enhances talent, not replaces it. Job creation varies greatly per market. India is leading the way, with 57.1% of organizations reporting a net increase in the number of roles created through human AI collaboration. Brazil follows at 50%. The United States reports 36% and Australia 33%. Twenty-two percent of organizations worldwide say they have created new AI-driven career paths that didn’t exist before.
The research shows that AI does not eliminate ambition. It’s expanding. The companies that treat AI as a way to elevate their people will build stronger competitive advantages.
Supporting Resources:
About the study
The survey was conducted by Censuswide between September and October 2025. It surveyed 3,500 IT decision makers and C-suite executives, plus 3,502 consumers across seven global markets. Censuswide follows the Market Research Society’s code of conduct and the ESOMAR principles.
Additional research results
- How confident are companies that they have a competitive edge when it comes to using AI for growth?
Globally, 61% of organizations believe they have an edge over their peers when it comes to capturing AI-driven value. India reports the highest trust at 78%, followed by Brazil at 76%.
- How widespread is AI FOMO among business leaders?
AI FOMO is real. Fifty-six percent of global executives say they feel competitive pressure to adopt AI quickly. Singapore reports the highest level of anxiety at 66%, followed by India at 62.8%.
- What role does a clear AI strategy play in successful adoption?
A clear AI strategy is both the biggest barrier and the biggest accelerator for organizations. Twenty-nine percent of companies worldwide say the lack of a strategy is the biggest obstacle to realizing AI’s full potential. At the same time, 45% say a clear strategy is the most important factor for successfully scaling AI, followed by technology infrastructure at 35% and high-quality data at 31%.
- What do companies think is the biggest impact of successful AI initiatives?
Globally, customer lifetime value has increased for 17% of organizations thanks to AI. Singapore leads with 23%, followed by India with 20%.
- What drives companies to be transparent about AI use?
The top driver globally is building customer trust and brand loyalty, as cited by 30% of organizations. Brazil leads with 37% and India with 36%.
- Which countries are moving fastest from efficiency to growth?
India and Brazil show the strongest shift, with over 92% agreeing that their AI strategy has shifted towards growth and innovation. Australia is the slowest mover, with only 62.8% reporting this shift, which is well below the global average of 77%.
- Which markets expect the largest revenue gains from AI?
India and Brazil expect the largest revenue impact, with 49.2% expecting AI to deliver an increase of more than 15% within five years. Germany is much more cautious at 28.8% and Australia at 20%.
- Where is job creation with AI strongest?
India leads the world with 57.1% of organizations reporting a net increase in the number of roles created through human AI collaboration. Brazil follows at 50%. The United States is lower at 36% and Australia at 33%.
- Which countries show the strongest commitment to agentic AI?
India is once again the leader, with 48.6% citing AI as their main future focus. Singapore follows with 40.8%. Brazil is noticeably lower at 28.2%.
- Where do organizations feel most limited by regulations?
Brazil faces the highest regulatory burden, with 28% citing regulation as the main barrier to realizing AI’s full potential. This is significantly higher than the global average and much higher than India at 9.6% and the United States at 11.9%.
About Thought Works
Thoughtworks is a global technology consultancy that integrates design, engineering and AI to drive digital innovation. We employ more than 10,000 thought leaders across 47 offices in 18 countries. For more than 30 years, we’ve been working with our clients to deliver extraordinary impact by helping them solve complex business problems with technology as a differentiator.
Media contact
Kathrin Jansing
Head of Public Relations Europe
Email: kathrin.jansing@thoughtworks.com
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