In a surprising revelation from a recent joint study AI Awareness conducted by Google and Kantar, 60% of Indians are still unfamiliar with artificial intelligence (AI) i.e AI Awareness—despite the growing presence of AI tools in their daily lives. This revelation comes at a time when Google’s AI chatbot, Gemini, has crossed the milestone of 350 million monthly active users worldwide, signaling the explosive growth and global integration of AI technologies.
This sharp contrast between global AI adoption and the awareness levels within India highlights a significant gap that could hinder India’s digital future, especially as AI becomes the backbone of innovation across sectors like healthcare, finance, education, and e-commerce.
credit : indianexpress.com
The Key Findings: A Nation Unaware of the AI Boom
The Google-Kantar survey examined how users from different countries perceive and interact with AI technologies. Among the most striking insights was that a majority of the Indian population—roughly 6 out of 10 people—have either not heard of AI or don’t fully understand what it is.
This is particularly concerning considering India’s status as one of the largest consumer and developer markets for digital technologies. Despite the widespread use of smartphones, the popularity of voice assistants like Google Assistant and Alexa, and the increased automation in apps like YouTube and Google Search, many users remain unaware that these services are powered by AI.
Compare this with countries like the United States and Japan, where AI literacy has grown steadily due to stronger digital infrastructure, government policies promoting tech education, and a culture of early adoption.
Meanwhile, Google Gemini Sees Explosive Global Growth
Contrasting India’s low AI familiarity is the impressive rise of Google’s Gemini AI, which is now used by over 350 million people across the globe every month. The chatbot has seen rapid growth thanks to its integration with Android smartphones, Google Search, Gmail, and Chrome—making it easily accessible to billions of users worldwide.
According to Google, Gemini is now among the top three AI platforms globally, standing shoulder to shoulder with OpenAI’s ChatGPT and Meta’s AI assistant. Gemini’s growing user base is a testament to how AI has entered the mainstream, with people using it for tasks ranging from summarizing documents to generating creative content and getting personalized recommendations.
Despite this global success, India’s underutilization of Gemini and similar AI tools points to an urgent need for AI education and digital awareness campaigns.
India’s AI Paradox: High Usage, Low Awareness
Interestingly, while 60% of Indians are unfamiliar with AI, India still ranks among the top five countries in terms of AI tool usage, particularly Gemini. This suggests that people are using AI unknowingly—possibly through built-in features in their phones and apps—but are not aware that these tools are AI-powered.
For example:
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When users get personalized suggestions on YouTube—it’s AI.
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When they ask Google Assistant for weather updates or traffic information—it’s AI.
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When Gmail automatically completes their sentences—that’s AI too.
This paradox indicates a silent AI revolution in India, where the adoption is happening without the realization. And that’s a red flag—because understanding technology is just as important as using it.
Who’s Using AI: Demographics of Gemini Users
According to a separate usage breakdown, the 25-34 age group makes up the largest demographic of Gemini users globally, accounting for nearly 30% of its user base. These are typically working professionals, students, and content creators—groups that are most inclined to use tools like Gemini for productivity, learning, or creative purposes.
India, with its massive youth population and growing tech-savvy middle class, has immense potential to contribute to and benefit from this digital wave—if the awareness gap is addressed.
Why AI Literacy Matters for India
The lack of AI awareness poses several long-term risks for India:
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Digital divide: Without proper knowledge, rural and underprivileged populations may be left behind as AI becomes more central to daily life and employment.
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Job preparedness: AI is transforming industries rapidly. Workers who understand AI will have a clear advantage in the job market of tomorrow.
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Cybersecurity risks: People unaware of AI’s capabilities may fall prey to misinformation or scams generated by AI tools.
To avoid these pitfalls, India must prioritize AI literacy through:
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Inclusion of AI education in school curriculums
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Government-led awareness campaigns in regional languages
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Workshops and training programs for professionals and small business owners
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Public-private partnerships to promote ethical AI use and digital inclusion
What Google Is Doing: AI for India, AI with India
Google, aware of this gap, is already working on initiatives to bring AI to more Indians in a responsible and accessible way. Some of these efforts include:
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Language models trained in Indian languages
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Voice-based AI tools for low-literacy users
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Collaborations with NGOs and educational institutions
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Affordable AI-enabled devices and services
With Gemini, Google has also introduced tools that help students, educators, developers, and small businesses—empowering them to use AI for productivity, creativity, and learning.
The Bigger Picture: India’s Role in the Global AI Ecosystem
India isn’t just a consumer of AI—it’s also a global contributor. With one of the largest pools of software developers, many AI models used globally are trained, built, or tested by Indian talent.
Moreover, India has a thriving startup ecosystem working on AI in healthcare, agriculture, fintech, and education. However, if AI awareness doesn’t keep up with AI development, the gap between innovators and everyday users will only widen.
Closing this gap means not only empowering users but also building a stronger, more inclusive AI ecosystem—one where every Indian understands, trusts, and benefits from AI.
Conclusion: Turning Awareness Into Action
As AI continues to transform the world, India stands at a crossroads. With an enormous user base, young population, and growing digital infrastructure, the country can become a leader in AI adoption.
But for that to happen, awareness and education must catch up with usage.
The Google-Kantar study is not just a wake-up call—it’s an opportunity. An opportunity to educate, include, and prepare India for an AI-driven future where no one is left behind.
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