2025 will be remembered as the year AI became inescapable. From procurement to customer service, intelligent systems began reshaping industries. But with rapid adoption came new complexities: fragmented data, escalating security risks, and increased demands for control.
As we move into 2026, the key question isn’t whether AI will transform businesses it’s how companies will navigate the next phase of scale, trust, and differentiation.
A new global study from the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV), which surveyed 1,000 C-suite executives and 8,500 employed consumers, highlights the AI trends that will drive the agenda in 2026. Here are four major trends to watch out for.
1. The Growing Importance of AI Sovereignty
AI outcomes are only as strong as the infrastructure supporting them. Cloud platforms, chips, and semiconductors are all part of a critical AI supply chain. Relying on a single provider or region introduces significant risks, from system outages to compliance challenges and the potential loss of access to cutting-edge technology.
It’s no surprise, then, that 93% of executives surveyed believe AI sovereignty having control over AI systems, data, and infrastructure is essential to their strategy for 2026. This issue is top-of-mind for governments and businesses worldwide, from Europe to the Middle East and beyond.
Building AI resilience means reframing how your organization protects its competitive advantage. It’s no longer just about the tools you own; it’s about making strategic decisions on where your AI models operate, how data is managed, and ensuring continuity when global systems face disruptions.
To minimize risks, businesses should design AI architecture that allows for seamless movement of workloads, data, and agents across trusted environments and providers.
2. AI Adoption Among Employees
Contrary to popular belief, workers are largely embracing AI. Our research found that employees across different age groups are two to three times more likely to welcome AI than to resist it. In fact, at least twice as many workers view AI positively as they do negatively. Employees see the technology as an opportunity to eliminate mundane tasks, improve strategic focus, and boost creativity.
Executives agree: the real advantage lies in human-AI collaboration. The nature of this collaboration determines the difference between marginal productivity gains and transformative business outcomes. For example, using general AI tools to automate document writing saves time, but working with AI agents tailored to a company’s needs such as reducing invoice backlogs in procurement delivers substantial business impact.
Moreover, tasks requiring creativity, judgment, and relationship-building will remain areas where humans shine. Organizations that allocate talent to these high-value activities, while leveraging AI for more repetitive tasks, will gain a competitive edge.
This shift won’t happen instantly, and it requires a cultural shift. It’s essential to work with employees to outline their career development in an AI-driven workplace.
Additionally, employees are signaling their commitment to upskilling: 56% of workers say they’d change employers, and 42% would accept a pay cut, to gain better training on high-value skills like adaptability, innovation, and AI proficiency.
3. Transparency Is Key to Building Customer Trust
Consumer trust in AI is now a make-or-break factor for businesses. Our research shows that 95% of executives believe that trust will determine the success of new products and services. While consumers tend to be forgiving of AI errors, they are highly sensitive to how their data is used. In fact, two-thirds of customers would switch brands if AI usage were hidden from them, and half would be willing to pay a premium for companies that are transparent about their AI practices.
The companies that will thrive are those that treat customers as co-creators, not passive recipients. How can businesses foster this trust? By offering transparent AI dashboards, granular data controls, and clear information on how data is being used. Companies could also offer early access to new AI features. Such transparency strengthens relationships and encourages customer loyalty in an AI-powered marketplace.
4. Turning Uncertainty Into a Strategic Advantage
Is volatility a threat to be mitigated, or an opportunity to be embraced? Nearly 74% of leaders believe it’s the latter: economic and geopolitical instability will create new business opportunities in 2026.
AI enables the agility needed to capitalize on these opportunities. Executives using AI agents for real-time modeling and decision-making are twice as likely to see potential in periods of volatility. For instance, AI agents can reroute supply chains during geopolitical disruptions or quickly adapt marketing strategies to shifting consumer sentiments much faster than traditional methods.
To seize fleeting opportunities, businesses need to optimize for responsiveness. This means integrating AI agents into decision-making processes and granting them authority to adjust pricing, pivot marketing strategies, and launch product variations in response to market conditions.
However, greater autonomy brings increased risks, including cyberattacks and unintended bias. In the next phase of AI, well-governed, ethically designed AI systems that operate in a coordinated manner will outperform isolated, uncoordinated agents.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for AI in 2026?
The pace of AI innovation is relentless, and businesses must adopt bold strategies to stay ahead. As we step into 2026, the companies that will lead the way will be those that successfully combine control over AI infrastructure, empowered employees, transparent customer engagement, and the ability to turn uncertainty into opportunity.
The future of AI won’t be defined by just adopting technology it will be about embedding it into business processes, decision-making, and customer experiences in ways that are resilient, trusted, and responsive. Those who align these capabilities with a coherent strategy will be well-positioned to unlock real value and drive AI-led transformation in 2026 and beyond.
