Consumer search behavior is shifting from browsers to AI assistants. E-commerce brands must adapt by treating agents like ChatGPT as new traffic sources. This requires making product data discoverable via APIs to enable seamless research and purchasing directly within conversational AI platforms.

Unlike previous tech waves that trickled down from large institutions, AI adoption is inverted. Individuals are the fastest adopters, followed by small businesses, with large corporations and governments lagging. This reverses the traditional power dynamic of technology access and creates new market opportunities.

User expectations for AI responses change dramatically based on the input method. A spoken query demands a concise, direct answer, whereas a typed query implies the user has more patience and is receptive to a detailed, link-filled response. Contextual awareness of input modality is critical for good UX.

Observing that younger generations prefer consuming information via video (TikTok) and communicating via voice, Superhuman's CTO predicts a fundamental shift in user experience. Future interfaces, including email, will likely become more conversational and audio-based rather than relying on typing and reading.

India is leveraging its upcoming AI Impact Summit to establish itself as the voice for the Global South in AI policy. By championing inclusive AI and showcasing successful development applications in healthcare and agriculture, India aims to create an alternative to the Western-centric AI narrative.

Indian startups are carving a competitive niche by focusing on the AI application layer. Instead of building foundational models, their strength lies in developing and deploying practical AI solutions that solve real-world problems, which is where they can effectively compete on a global scale.

Contrary to the global trend where consumer applications dominate AI usage (70%), India's adoption is heavily skewed towards productive enterprise use (60%). This business-first approach is driven by a large STEM workforce leveraging AI for efficiency gains in sectors like finance and healthcare.

While ChatGPT is still the leader with 600-700 million monthly active users, Google's Gemini has quickly scaled to 400 million. This rapid adoption signals that the AI landscape is not a monopoly and that user preference is diversifying quickly between major platforms.

Investors may be under-bullish on voice because they judge it by current adoption. However, observing the communication habits of the under-25 demographic—who heavily favor voice notes—provides a clear signal that the next generation of workers will expect and demand voice-native tools.