78% of Gen Z Professionals in India Want More AI at Work

A Canva report reveals Gen Z in India seek greater AI adoption, with most already using unapproved tools to boost creativity at work.

A new global survey highlights a growing demand among young professionals in India for greater use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the workplace. According to Canva’s State of Visual Communication Report, 78% of Gen Z employees in India believe experimenting with AI tools can significantly improve their workflows.

The study, conducted with The Harris Poll and Neuro-Insight, surveyed 2,475 business leaders and Gen Z professionals across eight countries, including India. It found that while workplace adoption of AI is still in its early stages, many employees are already relying on unofficial tools. In fact, 91% of Gen Z professionals and 84% of their managers in India admitted to using unapproved AI platforms to complete creative tasks.

Despite the rising interest, 90% of respondents said barriers such as unhelpful or outdated AI tools still hinder their creativity. Teams currently juggle 11 to 12 platforms per week to manage visual projects, yet only 22% of organisations globally consider themselves “design-led.”

Chandrika Deb, India Country Manager at Canva, said embracing visual communication and AI could bridge generational workplace gaps. “When companies adopt a visual-first approach, they don’t just boost productivity, they also unlock creativity and attract the next generation of talent,” she noted.

Beyond AI, the study also measured the impact of communication styles on brain activity. Findings showed that 76% of professionals lose interest when content is text-heavy, while over 91% agreed that visual communication is more effective. Using neuroscience techniques like Steady State Topography (SST), the research confirmed that visuals stimulate higher engagement compared to text-based messages.

As generative AI becomes more integrated into workflows, the report suggests that companies adopting a top-down approach to AI deployment may be better positioned to drive innovation and retain young talent.