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Overview

Overview

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

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

Download the full report

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 regionally relevant?
Yes - find tailored insights for your market and industry.

Highlights

Key highlights

81%

plan to increase AI spend by 2027

73%

will deepen GenAI investment

61%

will boost Agentic AI initiatives

  • AI as the Operating System of Business
    AI is no longer a side project—it’s the core driver of revenue, margin, risk, and talent strategy. Top-performing organizations are embedding AI in both core and non-core activities to create lasting competitive advantage.
  • From GenAI to Agentic AI
    The report covers the evolution from Generative AI (“the creator”) to Agentic AI (“the doer”), and explores the rise of private, sovereign, and sustainable AI.
  • Investment Momentum
    81% of organizations plan to increase AI spend in the next two years. 73% will deepen GenAI investment, and 61% will boost Agentic AI initiatives.
  • Workforce Transformation
    1 in 6 jobs could be replaced by AI within two years. Half of organizations have already slowed hiring due to AI, especially in customer/IT support, admin, and software engineering. Up to 40% of roles may be transformed within five years.
  • ROI and Profit Impact
    80% of the C-suite say AI boosted profits by over 5% last year; 1 in 4 saw increases of more than 15%. 98% of organizations say AI projects meet or exceed expectations.
  • Geopolitical & Sustainability Tension
    96% of organizations are considering relocating infrastructure due to geopolitical concerns. 91% admit their AI ambitions clash with sustainability goals.
Insights

Additional insights for Business leaders

  1. AI-Native Advantage
    Achieving an “AI-native” state—where decisions, processes, and outcomes are software-defined and agent-driven—is now the benchmark for success. Top performers are 30% more likely to have embedded AI in both core and non-core activity, indicating AI maturity correlates with superior outcomes.
  2. Governance, Trust, and Security
    Embed policy, ethics, and risk management into every AI initiative. Only 47% are fully confident in their AI governance. 45% still lack an AI safety team; fewer than half have a formal cross-business review board.
  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 with global leaders in banking, insurance, manufacturing, healthcare, retail, and public sector.
  5. Actionable Recommendations
    Download the report for practical steps to accelerate your AI journey.

Additional insights for AI practitioners

  1. Fusion Teams & Platforms
    Cross-functional teams that own outcomes are critical. Enterprises 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 & Data Readiness
    Modernizing infrastructure, ensuring data quality, and integrating cloud-native solutions are top priorities for scalable, secure AI. Just 48% strongly agree that they have invested sufficiently in data storage and processing capabilities to support AIworkloads.
  4. Emerging Roles
    Explore how new positions like AI risk manager, Chief AI Officer, and AI agent supervisor are becoming essential across IT, operations, and compliance.
  5. Technical Deep Dives
    Access detailed findings on AI maturity, ROI, and deployment challenges in the full report.

"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

Find out how your region and sector compare

The report includes tailored insights for North America, LATAM, EMEA, APAC, and industry-specific breakouts.

The 2026 Global AI Report includes four global industry spotlights to help boards benchmark their AI pace and posture by industry sector. Access the full report below to explore the complete findings, executive guidance and industry spotlights.

Get the full report below.

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