Millennials Edge Out Gen Z in India's AI Shopping Boom
A McKinsey report reveals 84% of Indian millennials use AI for shopping, making India one of the top global markets for AI commerce.
In a surprising twist to the narrative that younger generations are always the earliest adopters of tech, AI shopping adoption in India is being driven primarily by millennials. According to a comprehensive report by McKinsey & Company, 84 per cent of Indian millennials are now utilizing artificial intelligence tools to search for products, compare different options, and finalize their purchase decisions.
The Generational Divide in AI Commerce
While Gen Z is often viewed as the digital-first generation, they trail behind millennials in the Indian market. The McKinsey Agentic Commerce Consumer Survey, conducted in June 2026, shows that 74 per cent of Gen Z consumers in India use AI for shopping—a full 10 percentage points lower than their millennial counterparts.
The adoption trend extends across other age groups as well, showcasing a broad shift in how Indians shop:
- Millennials: 84% adoption
- Gen Z: 74% adoption
- Gen X: 74% adoption
- Baby Boomers: 56% adoption
Note: McKinsey mentioned that the figure for baby boomers is indicative, as it was based on a sample of fewer than 100 respondents.
India Ranks Among Global Leaders
India has emerged as a powerhouse in the global transition toward AI-driven commerce. Out of 11 markets surveyed, India ranks second in overall AI shopping adoption, with 76 per cent of its consumers using these tools. This significantly outperforms the global average of 53 per cent, trailing only China, which leads the world at 80 per cent.
The report observes that in countries where AI adoption is highest, the trend is consistently visible across all generations, rather than being confined to a single age bracket.
The Trust Factor: India vs. The World
Beyond just usage, Indian consumers exhibit a remarkably high level of confidence in the technology. An impressive 87 per cent of AI users in India stated they trust AI chat and search tools. This is substantially higher than the global trust average, which stands at 73 per cent.
The Gen Z Skepticism
Interestingly, the report highlights a global trend regarding Gen Z's relationship with AI. Despite high usage rates, younger consumers are generally more skeptical. Globally, only 67 per cent of Gen Z AI users trust these tools, falling below the overall global average of 73 per cent.
Global Context and Survey Scale
On a global scale, millennials and Gen Z lead the way with adoption rates of 63 per cent and 62 per cent respectively, both staying well above the 53 per cent global mean.
The findings are based on a massive data set, with McKinsey surveying approximately 21,000 consumers across 11 major markets, including the United Kingdom, the United States, China, and India.