India accounted for 21% of the global AI app downloads, with the downloads surpassing 2.2 Bn mark in the country by August 2024
ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini were the top three most downloaded apps in India, alongside image/video editing and play apps
However, India accounted for just 2% of in-app purchase revenue, while North America accounted for nearly half of the global revenue
India has surpassed the US to become the largest market for AI mobile app downloads. According to data from digital intelligence platform Sensor Tower, the country accounted for 21% of the global AI app downloads.
AI app downloads by Indians surpassed the 2.2 Bn mark by August 2024.
ChatGPT, Microsoft Copilot, and Google Gemini were the top three most downloaded apps in India, alongside image/video editing and play apps.
India was followed by Latin America, Europe and South America in terms of downloads, accounting for 20%, 15% and 14% share, respectively.
However, India accounted for just 2% of in-app purchase revenue. Overall, the revenue for in-app purchases globally stands at $2 Bn so far this year, the report said. Of this, North America and Europe together account for 68% revenue of AI apps. Just North America accounts for 47% of global AI app earnings.
Sensor Tower pegged the estimated revenue for 2024 at $3.3 Bn, a surge of 51%. The report added that AI app downloads in the first eight months of 2024 at 630 Mn surpassed the download count for the entire 2023.
Globally, ChatGPT was the most downloaded app, followed by image editing app Remini. At number three and four were Photoroom AI Photo Editor and Google’s Gemini, respectively.
ByteDance’s chatbot app DouBao was at fifth position, while Microsoft Copilot and Chatbot AI & Smart Assistant claimed eighth and ninth positions, respectively.
India is among one of the biggest markets for companies in terms of app downloads due to the large population, increasing internet access, and improving penetration of smartphones. As per a report, the total app downloads in India stood at about 26 Bn in 2023.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has taken the world by storm over the past few years. India is among the leading countries in the world in terms of adoption of AI.
This has also spawned the rise of several AI startups in the country, which are offering various use cases for the emerging technology. India is currently home to over 100 generative AI startups. These startups have also attracted a lot of investor interest.
Indian AI startups have raised over $600 Mn in funding since 2019. Spearheading this transition are names like SarvamAI and Krutrim, which are focused on building Indic LLMs.
However, the capital intensive nature, long gestation period and infrastructure remain the most challenging hurdles for the AI industry in India.
