How AI will reshape India: TCS and CII drop their report

The report titled Artificial Intelligence and Intellectual Property - Navigating Opportunities and Challenges in a Transformative Era, highlights that AI patent filings in India surged significantly after 2018, with 83,059 patents filed between 2019 and compared to 3,931 from 2010 to 2018.

TCS in partnership with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) released the report at the CII Global Summit on Technology, R&D & IP at Hotel Le Meridien, New Delhi.

The report which explores the shifting technology landscape that is shaping AI-driven IP creation has found that despite the burgeoning AI patent landscape in India MSMEs face challenges in intellectual property protection due to technical complexity, ambiguous ownership, and evolving legislation. The study that surveyed 73 global experts also addresses governance concerns, including transparency, bias, misinformation, and deepfakes, emphasizing the need for robust legal frameworks and ethical standards.

AI has rapidly evolved from a research concept into a transformative force, driving innovation across sectors such as healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and retail. In India, government initiatives and public-private partnerships are accelerating AI adoption, particularly among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). However, affordability, infrastructure, talent gaps, and regulatory complexities remain significant hurdles. To address the pressing concerns in the sector, TCS, a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, designed the report to equip enterprises, MSMEs, technologists, entrepreneurs, IP professionals, and policymakers with actionable insights on responsible AI adoption and robust IP strategies.

Speaking at the launch of the report, Ashvini Saxena, VP and Head, TCS Components Engineering Group (CEG) and Digital Software and Solutions (DSS), said, “As India advances toward its $5 trillion economic vision, AI-driven innovation will be a cornerstone of growth. At TCS, our unwavering emphasis on embedding AI at scale and building strong IP capabilities reflects this commitment, as we set course to become the world’s largest AI-led technology services company.  With GenAI, agentic systems, and LLMs reshaping industries, widespread adoption and scaling across all sectors is critical. Leveraging one of the world’s strongest technology talent pools, India can fast-track progress by balancing innovation, robust IP management, and entrepreneurship—positioning itself as a global AI powerhouse. This report affirms that a balanced roadmap combining innovation, regulatory foresight, and capacity building is essential for AI to empower India’s small businesses and foster resilient, future-ready enterprises.”

Vivek Shah, Vice-Chair CII - National Committee on IP & CEO Meril Life Sciences said, “The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) believes that the industry must take a proactive role in embracing innovation and intellectual property as key drivers of growth. To achieve this transformation, strong collaboration between industry and government is essential. Government support in terms of policy frameworks, incentives, and infrastructure will be critical to enable businesses to scale and compete globally in the evolving IP-driven landscape.”

The report finds that while advancements in technology have increased capability, risks too have grown. A new breed of challenges such as risks associated with autonomy, agentic behavior, coordination, and goal misalignment have emerged. Enterprise level AI adoption needs robust IP risk mitigation. The study suggests adopting robust IP risk mitigation strategies and aligning with emerging regulatory standards, can safeguard innovation, ensure compliance, and maintain trust in an increasingly complex technological landscape. The report also provides extensive guidance on the best practices that should be adopted to frame policies and IP strategies for enterprises.

TCS and CII are strengthening India’s IP ecosystem through dedicated support for innovators and startups. For instance, CII supports policy dialogue and awareness, enabled thousands of IP filings, and offer various IP-related services for Indian enterprises, helping them unlock greater economic value.

TCS leverages its profound expertise in artificial intelligence and intellectual property to drive transformative solutions for clients worldwide. By seamlessly integrating AI innovation with a robust understanding of the IP landscape, TCS stands out as a trusted partner for organisations seeking to harness large scale, AI-led transformation. This commitment positions TCS at the forefront of helping enterprises navigate complex technological advancements with confidence.