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Overview

Why you need to read the 2026 Global AI Report

Unlock the latest global insights on AI adoption, business impact and trends. Our 2026 Global AI Report delivers actionable intelligence sourced from 2,567 C-suite and other senior leaders across 34 markets and 15 industries.

It’s your essential guide to how AI is redefining business models, reshaping industries, fueling growth and transforming the workforce.

Read the full report

Highlights

FAQ

What is the 2026 Global AI Report?

Based on findings from a landmark primary research survey independently conducted for NTT DATA in late 2025, the report captures an array of AI experiences and expectations of global decision-makers. It explores the adoption and impact of AI in general, GenAI and agentic AI, providing deep insights into how organizations are transforming with these technologies. Most respondents represent large enterprises (84% have over 10,000 employees).
Who should read this report?
Executives, business leaders, AI practitioners, IT strategists, HR and workforce planners, and anyone shaping the future of operations and work.
How can I use these insights?
Inform your AI strategy, benchmark your organization, guide operations and workforce planning, and shape your next strategic launch.
Is the report relevant to specific industries?
Yes. It includes tailored insights for a wide range of industries (with a deep dive into financial services, insurance, automotive and manufacturing).

Report highlights

AI as the operating system of business
AI is becoming the core driver of revenue, margin, risk and talent strategy. Top-performing organizations are embedding AI in both core and noncore activities to create lasting competitive advantages.

From GenAI to agentic AI
Our report covers the evolution from GenAI to agentic AI, and explores the rise of private, sovereign and sustainable AI – and more.

Investment momentum
81% of organizations plan to increase their AI spending in the next two years, 73% will deepen their GenAI investment and 61% will boost their agentic AI initiatives.

Workforce transformation
16% of jobs could be displaced by AI within two years. However, only 10% of C-suite leaders are focusing on reducing headcounts and costs; 57% are exploring reskilling and other employee-enablement initiatives.

ROI and profit impact
Almost all C-suite leaders say that AI has had a positive impact on profit over the last year.

Geopolitical and sustainability tension
96% of organizations are considering relocating infrastructure due to geopolitical concerns, while 91% admit their AI ambitions clash with their sustainability goals.

Key findings

81%

of organizations will raise AI investment

87%

of CEOs say agentic AI is a top 3 priority

83%

of organizations have assigned a Chief AI Officer

Find out how your industry compares

The 2026 Global AI Report includes 15 industries and four deep-dive industry spotlights to help boards benchmark their AI pace and posture by industry sector. Access the full report below to explore the complete findings, or read the press release to learn more.

Get the full report below

Organizations that unite technology, governance and talent under a single AI strategy — and cultivate an AI-native culture — will lead the next revolution."

Abhijit Dubey
CEO and Chief AI Officer, NTT DATA, Inc.
Insights

Additional insights for business leaders

  1. AI-native advantage
    Achieving an “AI-native” state is now the benchmark for success, with 83% of organizations having assigned a Chief AI Officer (for 20% it’s a dual role for their CEO).

  2. Governance, trust and security
    To succeed, embed policy, ethics and risk management into every AI initiative. However, only 47% of organizations are fully confident that their company-wide governance is robust enough for AI.

  3. Workforce optimization
    Strategic reskilling and redeployment are essential. Nearly 6 in 10 C-suite leaders are exploring reskilling and employee enablement, not just headcount reduction.

  4. Industry benchmarks
    Compare your sector’s AI maturity and adoption rate with global leaders, particularly in the banking, insurance, manufacturing and automotive industries.

  5. Actionable recommendations
    Download the report for practical steps to accelerate your organization’s AI journey.

Additional insights for AI practitioners

  1. Fusion teams and platforms
    Cross-functional business teams that own outcomes are critical, while organizations are moving from isolated AI projects to building strategic AI platforms.

  2. Adaptive portfolios
    AI strategy is now a “test and scale” continuum, with rapid evolution and explicit criteria for scaling or ceasing initiatives.

  3. Infrastructure and data readiness
    Modernized infrastructure, data quality and cloud-native solutions are top priorities. Just 48% of organizations agree that their data infrastructure is ready for agentic AI deployment.

  4. Emerging roles
    Explore why new positions such as AI Risk Manager and Chief AI Officer are becoming essential across IT, operations and compliance.

  5. Topical deep dives
    Access detailed findings on AI maturity, ROI and deployment challenges in the full report.
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