In 2026, global enterprises are expected to enter a new era of artificial intelligence adoption, with AI systems becoming integral to core business functions. The year 2025 marked a transition from experimentation to significant enterprise adoption of AI, with generative AI and automation becoming mainstream. Early AI systems began aiding decision-making, though human oversight remains crucial. By 2026, AI will be deeply embedded in critical workflows, allowing enterprises to deploy AI across operations while elevating human roles to focus on orchestration, governance, and strategic control. Continuous skill development will be essential to harness these technologies effectively.
Several key technology trends are anticipated to influence enterprise strategies in 2026. Agentic AI will expand beyond isolated projects to form enterprise-wide networks, managing workflows across various departments such as IT, finance, and customer engagement, while humans maintain oversight. Embodied AI, where AI is integrated into robots, vehicles, and devices, will support use cases in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics. The integration of digital twins and AI will enable organizations to simulate real-world conditions, predict outcomes, and optimize processes through ongoing monitoring.
There will be a shift towards domain-native AI models, tailored to industry-specific data and designed to comply with regulatory and safety standards, offering greater accuracy and cost-effectiveness. In financial services, programmable money and distributed ledger technologies are approaching real-world implementation, with applications in tokenized assets and cross-border payments, facilitated by clearer regulations. Advances in quantum computing are unlocking new opportunities in life sciences and materials research, while highlighting the need for quantum-safe security measures. Workforce readiness will become a leadership priority as organizations invest in learning and change management to scale AI systems effectively across enterprises.
