Pure Storage, a leading provider of advanced data storage technology and services, in a report said while AI remains a priority for innovation, increased productivity and enhanced customer experiences, there is growing concern about its impact on energy consumption.
In a report titled “India’s AI Journey: Balancing Innovation with Sustainable Growth,” the company said that enterprises fear that without a modern and robust IT infrastructure, achieving their environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals could be at risk.
The surveyed organisations are facing significant challenges in deploying AI with 74% planning to upgrade data management tools and processes, 65% intending to enhance data storage infrastructure and 61% aiming to invest in data security and compliance.
As AI technologies expand, 42% of organisations report a doubling in compute power needs, and 41% have seen their storage demands double. This growth drives higher energy consumption, with 74% expressing concern over AI’s impact on energy use and ESG goals.
Ajay Singh, chief product officer at Pure Storage, said: “As AI adoption surges in India, organizations are driving innovation across sectors, but they struggle with rising energy demands and meeting ESG goals. Our report highlights the urgent need to invest in robust, energy-efficient systems that can power AI-driven growth while securing a greener future for all.”
The study was conducted from June to August 2024 across various sectors including banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI), tech-telecom-media, healthcare, government and more. It involved 210 respondents ranging from key IT decision-makers to those influencing IT purchasing decisions.
The survey also highlighted significant traction for AI in India with 48% of respondents prioritising AI to maintain their competitive edge over the next three years. It also shows that 52% of organisations have already deployed AI technologies, 35% are piloting them and 12% are exploring integration strategies.
AI is being leveraged across various functions such as marketing and sales, IT operations and fraud detection. Notably, 64% of the organizations use AI for virtual assistant/chatbot functions, 45% across IT operations and cybersecurity, and 40% for new product development and innovation.
The BFSI and technology, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sectors are leading in AI adoption with 68% and 70% respectively. Conversely, sectors like government, healthcare, and manufacturing show more cautious adoption, with a higher percentage in the piloting phase.
Further, cloud-based AI solutions are preferred in tech and media sectors, while BFSI and government sectors opt for on-premises solutions due to compliance and security concerns.
