Organisations prioritise data, governance, workforce skills and leadership readiness as AI becomes central to decision‑making and enterprise transformation
Capgemini Research Institute has released two new reports “The Multi‑Year AI Advantage: Building the Enterprise of Tomorrow” and a companion spotlight study “How AI Is Quietly Reshaping Executive Decisions” revealing that businesses worldwide are shifting from AI experimentation to pragmatic, value‑driven deployment as they enter 2026.
The research shows that organisations are accelerating AI investments with a focus on measurable outcomes, enterprise readiness and long‑term competitiveness. According to the findings, 38% of organisations already operationalise generative AI use cases, while six in ten are exploring agentic AI applications. Nearly half of Chinese companies are piloting or deploying agentic AI ahead of both Europe and the US.
“AI has crossed a critical threshold the question is no longer whether to pursue it, but how to embed it into the fabric of the enterprise.” — Pascal Brier, Chief Innovation Officer, Capgemini
Two‑thirds of global business leaders believe that failing to scale AI as rapidly as competitors risks long‑term strategic disadvantage. As a result, organisations are increasing budgets for 2026, with AI expected to account for 5% of annual business spending, up from 3% in 2025. Priority areas include robust data foundations, governance frameworks, secure infrastructure and workforce upskilling, reflecting a shift from hype to sustainable value creation.
Pascal Brier, Chief Innovation Officer at Capgemini, said successful AI transformation now hinges on leadership clarity and human‑AI synergy. “Organisations are prioritising strong foundations data, governance, human‑AI chemistry and leadership readiness is becoming a critical factor,” he noted.
The spotlight report on executive decision‑making reveals growing reliance on AI at the C‑suite level. More than half of CXOs already use AI to support strategic decisions, and adoption is expected to more than double over the next three years. However, trust remains a concern: only 41% of CEOs, CFOs and COOs report above‑average confidence in AI‑assisted decision‑making, citing legal, security and explainability risks.
Despite caution, early adopters report faster, more creative and more cost‑efficient decision cycles while maintaining that human judgment remains irreplaceable.
Together, both reports highlight that AI realism, not hype, will define enterprise strategy in 2026, with governance, transparency and leadership readiness serving as the foundation for long‑term competitive advantage.