A new global survey has revealed mounting pressure on C-suite executives amid tariff uncertainties and the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence. The survey further stated that Indian corporate leaders are feeling the squeeze more than most.
The survey was conducted by US-based software firm Icertis and it captured insights from over 1,000 senior executives worldwide, including 300 from India. The research highlighted the rising demands faced by top corporate decision-makers. An overwhelming 94% of Indian executives reported that the pressure to deliver business results has intensified over the past year, with 92% saying it’s harder to make the right business decisions now than it was a year ago.
Indian executives reported feeling this stress more acutely than their global counterparts, with 73% stating that the pressure had “increased significantly”, compared to 61% in the US and 57% in the UK.
Trade uncertainty remains top concern
One major area of concern is trade uncertainty. Over 90% of Indian respondents acknowledged that shifting tariffs would likely impact their company’s financial outcomes. To counter this, 64% said they are reviewing contracts for potential savings, a strategy echoed globally. Other common responses included rethinking long-term sourcing strategies (48%) and restructuring supply chains (47%).
The report also noted that the pressure to show ROI from AI investments has emerged as a top stressor. More than 56% of Indian executives said this has added significant strain to their roles, compared to 45% in the US and 38% in the UK. Nearly 80% of Indian C-suite leaders feel pressured to understand AI concepts traditionally outside their expertise and they struggle to identify which AI tools will drive real impact.
In addition, 62% of Indian executives reported being “extremely inundated” with AI washing, where vendors falsely claim their products use advanced AI, versus 46% in the US and 36% in the UK.
Upside of artificial intelligence
Despite these challenges, the upside of AI is also clear. Nearly half of Indian executives said AI is already boosting their bottom line, with an additional 32% expecting to see impact by the end of 2025. A staggering 98% are using AI to derive insights from contract data, while 99% view contract technology as a must-have.
According to Icertis, AI-driven contract intelligence is paving the way for smarter, faster and more strategic decisions, offering much-needed clarity and value in an increasingly uncertain business landscape.