Indian Enterprises Transitioning From AI Pilots to Full-Scale Production, Says Oracle India Head

NEW DELHI — Indian businesses have transitioned from testing artificial intelligence in pilot projects to full-scale deployment over the past year, according to Shailender Kumar, Senior Vice President and regional Managing Director, Oracle India and NetSuite JAPAC.

Speaking on the sidelines of Oracle AI World 2026, Kumar noted that enterprises are now implementing AI in full-scale production environments where the operational benefits are clear. Indian companies generally seek tangible proof that new technology works before adopting it widely.

"What they want to see is what will come to them: whether they save time, cost or anything else," Kumar said, adding that historical reservations regarding security and performance have diminished as visible benefits emerge.

Despite the positive momentum, Kumar highlighted several hurdles that could impact adoption rates. Cost is a primary consideration, alongside infrastructure limitations and workforce skill gaps. To address the talent shortage, Oracle is currently collaborating with universities, colleges, state governments, industrial training institutes (ITIs), and polytechnics to train students.

Regarding infrastructure constraints, Kumar stated that the challenge is gradually being addressed as new data centres are established across the country. He emphasized that businesses remain willing to invest as long as the return on investment is evident.

Addressing the balance between automated and human decision-making, Kumar underlined that governance is a critical component of AI implementation. Organizations require personnel to evaluate whether AI systems produce correct outcomes and operate as intended. He also anticipates that regulatory frameworks will evolve as the industry matures, particularly in response to instances of AI models behaving unexpectedly.

Operating in India for 33 years across more than 15 cities, Oracle has maintained double-digit growth in the country for approximately a decade. Banking represents the company's largest sector in India, followed by the public sector, and all four major Indian telecom operators utilize Oracle's services.

Looking ahead, Kumar outlined his priority for the next three to five years is accelerating business growth to match the potential of the Indian market, barring any unforeseen geopolitical factors.

"The shift from AI pilots to full-scale enterprise deployment marks a mature phase in India's technology adoption cycle. As businesses demand clear metrics around cost savings and efficiency, service providers and startups must focus on delivering measurable value rather than proof-of-concept novelties. Addressing infrastructure, data security, and talent gaps through targeted training will be critical for sustaining this growth momentum across sectors." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes