转变小企业：印度中小微企业的人工智能剧本（英）2025

In collaboration with the Office of the PrincipalScientific Adviser to the Government of Indiaand BCG X TransformingSmall Businesses:An AI Playbookfor India’s SMEs I N S I G H TR E P O R TA U G U S T2 0 2 5 Contents Foreword3 Executive summary4 Introduction6 1Why do we need this playbook?7 1.1AI can generate significant value for the MSME ecosystem81.2MSMEs in India differ on multiple dimensions101.3SMEs operate at different stages of digital maturity131.4SMEs need a structured approach to AI adoption131.5The multistakeholder methodology of the playbook14 2What are the challenges to AI adoption?15 2.1Stakeholder perspectives162.2Key challenges to AI adoption identified19from stakeholder perspectives 3How to accelerate the adoption of AI in SMEs?23 3.1Exploring promising AI applications for SMEs24 Conclusion and call to action45 Contributors49 Endnotes51 Disclaimer This document is published by theWorld Economic Forum as a contributionto a project, insight area or interaction.The findings, interpretations andconclusions expressed herein are a resultof a collaborative process facilitated andendorsed by the World Economic Forumbut whose results do not necessarilyrepresent the views of the World EconomicForum, nor the entirety of its Members,Partners or other stakeholders. ©2025 World Economic Forum. All rightsreserved. No part of this publication maybe reproduced or transmitted in any formor by any means, including photocopyingand recording, or by any informationstorage and retrieval system. Foreword S. Krishnan Ajay SoodPrincipal Scientific Adviserto the Government of India Secretary of the Ministryof Electronics and InformationTechnology (MeitY),Government of India Jeremy JurgensManaging Director, Centre forthe Fourth Industrial Revolutionand Centre for Cybersecurity,World Economic Forum Nipun KalraManaging Director, SeniorPartner and India Head,BCG X the-ground impact. It highlights the key barriers toAI adoption for MSMEs and shows a way forwardusing the three-pillar framework for acceleratingAI adoption along with a clear implementationroadmap in the form of a call to action. It alsoshowcases some high-value AI use cases inthese organizations and presents case studies tohighlight real-world impact. Furthermore, it providesa framework for MSMEs to identify high-value usecases relevant to their business. India stands on the cusp of a transformativeopportunity, driven by the potential of artificialintelligence to empower micro, small and mediumenterprises (MSMEs). India has more than 60 million1MSMEs that driveits economy – creating employment, contributing toaround half of the country’s exports and 30% of itsGDP. Despite its potential, the MSME sector in Indiafaces formidable challenges, including operationalinefficiencies, limited scale, constrained access tomarkets and inadequate financial support. Theseobstacles not only limit growth in the short termbut also restrain MSMEs from achieving long-termcompetitiveness on the global stage. This playbook is the result of extensive consultationswith policy-makers, MSME entrepreneurs, industrybodies and leaders and academics. It reflectsa collective vision for harnessing the power ofAI to address major challenges and transformMSME organizations. Artificial intelligence (AI) can transform theseorganizations by enhancing their productivity,optimizing operations and unlocking finance aswell as new markets. However, their adoption ofAI at scale requires a structured and collaborativeapproach due to the multiple systemic barriersthat hinder AI adoption. Addressing these barriersthrough a collaborative effort can enable theorganizations to realize AI’s immense potentialin their business operations. The report aims to align government, privateenterprises, academia and MSMEs in building an AIecosystem that promotes a future in which MSMEsare financially empowered, operationally robust andtechnologically advanced. We therefore requestall stakeholders to reflect on the insights capturedhere and bring them to action by adapting therecommendations to their own unique context. This report,Transforming Small Businesses: AnAI Playbook for India’s SMEs, aims to simplify thisadoption journey by guiding the efforts of multiplestakeholders. It recognizes the diversity of MSMEsin India and emphasizes the importance of takinga cluster-based approach to ensure maximum on- The report’s authors extend their deepest gratitudeto all stakeholders whose expertise, vision anddedication have shaped this initiative. They hopethis playbook serves as a beacon, guiding theIndian MSME ecosystem towards a vibrant,innovative and competitive future. Executive summary This report presents a structured roadmapfor stakeholders to accelerate the adoptionof AI at scale within India’s micro, smalland medium enterprises. Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs)are the backbone of India’s economy, generatingemployment and playing a pivotal role in thecountry’s socioecono