Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Apr 30: A sweeping transformation is underway across corporate India as 75% of companies pivot their infrastructure and location strategies to align with emerging data and artificial intelligence (AI) demands, according to a new report by Digital Realty.

India is swiftly establishing itself as a leading digital hub in the Asia-Pacific region, with 59% of Indian enterprises already implementing formal data strategies — surpassing many of their global peers. The report identifies data localisation, sustainability, and structured data frameworks as the three core pillars guiding AI adoption in India.

AI and machine learning are increasingly viewed as essential tools for unlocking the full potential of data, with 44% of surveyed businesses citing them as vital to value extraction. Meanwhile, sustainability has taken centre stage in shaping AI strategies — 60% of firms say it's their top consideration.

In a notable trend, 51% of companies now assess their IT performance through environmental metrics, particularly focusing on green practices and responsible technology adoption.

To maintain performance while adhering to regulatory requirements, 77% of Indian businesses have embraced distributed data models. However, challenges remain. Over half (52%) of the surveyed firms report difficulty in deriving insights from fragmented data, while 51% cite underinvestment in data systems as a barrier to AI progress.

Amid these developments, energy efficiency is becoming a key target. Approximately 46% of Indian companies now prioritise reducing Power Usage Effectiveness (PUE), a critical metric in sustainable IT infrastructure.

The findings underscore how India's digital evolution is being driven not just by technological innovation, but also by a growing emphasis on environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance.