TLDR: While ChatGPT maintains its global lead, Google’s Gemini is experiencing significant growth in India, particularly among Generation Z and students. A recent Google and Kantar study highlights that 31% of Indians have now tried a generative AI tool, with a strong desire to leverage AI for enhanced productivity, creativity, and communication. Gemini’s strong performance on mobile platforms and Google’s strategic focus on the Indian market are key drivers of this trend.
In a dynamic shift within India’s burgeoning artificial intelligence landscape, Google’s Gemini is rapidly gaining traction, especially among the nation’s youth, even as OpenAI’s ChatGPT continues to hold its position as the global market leader. A comprehensive study conducted by Google and research agency Kantar, based on an 18-city survey of 8,000 people, reveals that approximately 31% of Indians have now experimented with generative AI tools like Google Gemini, ChatGPT, and Deepseek. This indicates that while AI excitement is high, a significant portion—around 60%—remains either unaware of these tools or has yet to try them.
The report underscores a strong, innate desire among Indians to integrate AI into their daily lives, driven by aspirations for self-improvement and excellence. The majority of respondents expressed a keen interest in using AI tools to boost productivity (72%), enhance creativity (77%), and communicate more effectively (73%). This trend is particularly pronounced among Generation Z and students, who are actively leveraging AI for various applications, from academic assistance to creative endeavors.
Google’s strategic emphasis on the Indian market is evident, with the company showcasing its latest AI innovations, including reasoning models like Gemini 2.5 Pro (experimental) and the text-to-video AI tool Veo 2. Shekar Khosla, Vice President of Marketing at Google India, noted the positive impact of Gemini on user confidence, stating, ‘We’re seeing Gemini make a difference in how they feel about their own capabilities, with 92 per cent of Gemini users feeling more confident in their daily lives.’ Manish Gupta, Senior Director at Google Deepmind, highlighted Gemini’s role in pushing boundaries, enabling ‘experiences that were previously unimaginable.’
Globally, the consumer AI market is becoming increasingly competitive. A report by venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) indicates that while ChatGPT remains the global leader, Gemini has emerged as its closest rival, securing the No. 2 spot on both mobile and web platforms. Notably, on Android, Gemini commands nearly 90% of its active user base, a crucial advantage in a mobile-first country like India, where nearly 97% of its 800 million active smartphones run on Android. Google is strategically integrating Gemini across its dominant platforms, including Android, Chrome, and Gmail, to ensure widespread accessibility.
Also Read:
- Google Integrates Gemini AI into Chrome for All US Users, Eliminating Subscription Requirement
- Google Chrome Integrates Gemini AI for Enhanced Web Tasks and Browsing Experience
Despite the rapid growth of AI chatbots, traditional search engines still maintain a significant lead in overall traffic. A study covering April 2024 to March 2025 revealed that chatbot traffic constituted just 2.96% of all search engine visits, producing 34 times fewer visits than search engines. However, the integration of AI features like AI Overviews and Search Generative Experience into search engines has contributed to a rebound in search traffic, even as overall search engine visits experienced a slight year-over-year decline of 0.51%.
