India’s creator economy is entering a defining phase, where artificial intelligence is no longer an optional advantage but a critical survival tool. Adobe’s inaugural Creators’ Toolkit Report 2026 reveals that an overwhelming 99% of Indian creators now use generative AI in their daily workflows, placing India among the most aggressive adopters of creative AI globally.
Based on insights from over 16,000 creators across eight countries, the report highlights a sharp rise in productivity. In India, 95% of creators say AI has helped them grow their personal brand or business. Tools are most commonly used for editing and enhancement tasks such as improving video quality or cleaning audio, followed by asset generation like creating visuals from scratch, and ideation support to overcome creative blocks. Notably, 85% of creators say they are now producing content that would have been technically or financially impossible just two years ago.
However, this rapid adoption comes with a growing unease. Nearly 78% of Indian creators are worried about their original work being used to train AI models without consent, exposing a widening trust gap. While creators rely on AI to stay competitive, concerns around copyright, transparency and ownership remain unresolved.
The report also points to the next wave of innovation-Agentic AI. These systems are designed to handle complex, multi-step tasks autonomously, from research to publishing. While excitement is high, creators are clear about their limits: 96% want AI that adapts to their unique style, and most insist on keeping humans firmly in control of final creative decisions.
Ultimately, the findings paint a nuanced picture. AI is accelerating creativity and access, but unresolved issues around cost, reliability and ethical use suggest the creator economy’s future will depend as much on trust as on technology.
