India’s rush to embrace artificial intelligence may be fuelling an unexpected crisis: the slow erosion of sleep.
A national survey released by the Heartfulness Institute to mark World Sleep Day 2026 suggests that the country’s growing reliance on AI tools—driven by fear of falling behind in an increasingly digital world—is quietly damaging sleep health.
The survey, conducted among more than 550 respondents across cities including Mumbai, Hyderabad, Delhi, Pune, Chandigarh and Thane, reveals a clear pattern: the more time Indians spend on screens and AI-powered tools, the worse they sleep.
Respondents clocking more than six hours of daily screen time showed nearly 80% higher rates of sleep problems, while frequent AI users reported more sleep disturbances and greater daytime fatigue.
Reflecting on the deeper implications of the findings, Kamlesh D Patel, President of Shri Ram Chandra Mission and global guide of Heartfulness, emphasized the importance of restoring balance in an increasingly hyperconnected world.
“Sleep is not merely a biological function but a sacred opportunity for the mind and heart to rejuvenate. In today’s world our attention is constantly drawn outward through devices, information, and now artificial intelligence. While these technologies are powerful tools, they also keep the mind active far beyond the natural rhythm of the day.
"When we consciously create moments of inner quiet before sleep, the mind gradually settles, and the quality of rest deepens. True productivity arises not from constant activity, but from a balanced mind that is rested, calm, and centered.”
The survey highlights that students and IT professionals dominate the respondent pool, with adults aged 25–44 reporting the highest levels of AI interaction.
Alarmingly, those aged 35–44 recorded the poorest sleep quality, even as older adults aged 65 and above reported the best sleep. The 55–64 age group logged the shortest sleep duration overall.
Researchers also found a striking connection between screen exposure and sleep disruption. High screen-time users—defined as those spending more than six hours daily on screens—represent 22.7% of the overall sample, but account for 34.6% of those reporting serious sleep issues.
Among them, 20.5% reported fairly bad or very bad sleep, compared with 11.4% among people with lower screen exposure. High screen-time users also slept slightly less on average—6.39 hours versus 6.53 hours—suggesting prolonged digital engagement may be quietly chipping away at nightly rest.
Frequent AI users also reported higher daytime sleepiness, scoring 0.65 on a 0–3 scale, compared with 0.60 among low AI users, even though their total sleep time remained nearly identical.
AI interaction was highest among adults 25–44, with daily-use scores above 3.2, while the 65+ group recorded the lowest interaction at 1.43.
Sleep duration varied sharply by age. Teenagers aged 15–17 slept the most, averaging 7.09 hours, while adults 55–64 slept the least at 5.64 hours.
Gender differences were modest. Men reported slightly longer sleep durations—6.52 hours compared to 6.43 hours for women—and marginally higher screen time. However, sleep quality and AI usage were almost identical between men and women.
The findings suggest that keeping daily screen exposure below six hours could significantly improve sleep quality, underscoring the need for deeper research into how AI-driven digital lifestyles are reshaping human rest.
