December 17th 2025.
According to a recent report by Standard Chartered bank, a large majority of corporate leaders in India have identified artificial intelligence (AI) as one of their top three choices for technology adoption. This finding is based on a survey of 1,200 C-suite and senior leaders across 17 markets, which also revealed that cloud computing and digital assets were the next most popular options, with 64% and 46% of respondents ranking them in their top three, respectively.
Interestingly, the report noted that on a global scale, seven out of ten corporate leaders are focusing on establishing strong foundational systems for emerging technologies in the short to medium term, with cloud computing being the top priority. This trend is in line with the growing importance of technology in the business world and the need for companies to stay ahead of the curve.
In India, there has been a significant increase in the number of retail sellers going live on the government's Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). As of now, over 1.16 lakh sellers from 630 cities and towns have joined the platform, highlighting the country's rapid digital transformation. This is a positive development for the trade sector, which is increasingly relying on digitalisation to drive growth and efficiency.
The report also highlighted the role of AI and digital assets in shaping the future of trade digitalisation. It noted that many respondents view these technologies as key drivers for innovation and growth, but also emphasized the importance of having strong underlying infrastructure in place. According to Michael Spiegel, Global Head of Transaction Banking at Standard Chartered, prioritising connected data flows, compliance, and consistency is crucial for these technologies to scale responsibly and efficiently.
In line with the bullish sentiment towards AI, the Indian government has launched the National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, further promoting the adoption of this technology. The report also mentioned the significant investments being made by AI firms in the country, indicating its potential as the world's most populous market.
The survey also revealed that a majority of Indian corporates outsource their digitalisation work, while a smaller percentage works with third-party providers or handles it in-house. One of the main challenges to trade digitalisation, as cited by over half of the respondents, is the lack of interoperability and integration, with regulatory and implementation challenges keeping many processes paper-based.
In conclusion, the report highlighted the growing importance of technology in the business world and the need for strong foundational systems for emerging technologies to drive innovation and sustainable growth. It also stressed the role of banking partners in advising companies on digitalisation and the adoption of digital assets. With the right approach, companies in India can leverage technology to stay competitive and thrive in the ever-evolving global market.
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