CBRE Survey Finds AI Has Limited Impact on Office Leasing Strategies in India
New Delhi, August 27, 2026: Despite rapid technological adoption, artificial intelligence has not yet led to a reduction or significant shift in office leasing strategies across India, according to the 2026 India Office Occupier Survey released by CBRE South Asia Pvt. Ltd. The study reveals that 57% of corporate office occupiers report AI has no material impact on their real estate leasing decisions, even as 93% of the more than 200 surveyed firms confirm being at some stage of AI implementation.
The findings indicate that 59% of companies remain in the early or exploratory phases of adoption, focusing on testing proof-of-concepts before making major structural or spatial changes. Meanwhile, one-third of respondents have reached advanced or scaled deployment, using AI to alter how talent is deployed and how physical workspaces are utilized. Overall, 64% of organizations maintain a neutral-to-positive view regarding AI’s impact on total workforce size, a sentiment particularly pronounced among Global Capability Centers (GCCs), where 95% report active AI integration.
Industry leadership notes that the influence of technology is currently affecting property standards rather than absolute space intake. Anshuman Magazine, Chairman & CEO – India, South-East Asia, Middle East & Africa of CBRE, stated that while AI adoption is becoming increasingly widespread, business maturity and the pace of deployment will ultimately determine its impact on workforce requirements and, consequently, future leasing decisions. He added that as organizations continue to transition from experimentation to scaled implementation, the implications for headcount, workplace strategies, and space demand are likely to evolve over time.
This trend coincides with strong momentum in the commercial real estate sector, where total office stock surpassed the 1 billion square foot milestone during the April-June 2026 quarter. Occupiers continue to prioritize premium Grade A properties to support advanced technology infrastructure and employee retention. Ram Chandnani, Managing Director, Leasing Services, India of CBRE, emphasized that while AI is increasingly shaping discussions around workplace and real estate strategy, occupiers are yet to reach definitive conclusions on its impact on space requirements. He noted that the flight-to-quality trend remains firmly intact, with premium workplaces continuing to play a critical role in attracting and retaining talent, adding that AI is influencing the type of space occupiers seek well before it alters the quantum of space they require.
The reliance on physical office footprints remains robust across the country. According to the report, 77% of surveyed occupiers recorded office utilization rates above 50%, maintaining the workplace as a central hub for corporate culture and productivity. Furthermore, 77% of respondents expect their real estate portfolios in India to expand over the next two years, with 30% targeting a significantly larger footprint compared to 18% in the previous year’s survey.
