Enterprise leaders are heading into 2026 with a mix of optimism and pressure, according to new research from the IBM Institute for Business Value. The report draws on responses from more than 1,000 C-suite executives and 8,500 employees and consumers, capturing how businesses view the risks and opportunities tied to AI, data governance, and the rise of quantum computing.
Only a third of executives feel confident about the global economy, yet more than four in five believe their own organisations will perform well in the year ahead. Leaders say they expect to make faster decisions, revisit operating models, and bring AI into daily workflows at a far greater pace. Employees also appear ready for this shift and customers are clearer than ever about what they want from companies that use their data.
Agentic AI becomes a strategic priority
Agentic AI stood out as one of the most significant trends in the report. Most executives say AI agents are already helping their teams handle tasks, but success depends on the foundations beneath them. Organisations need data systems that deliver near real time insights instead of periodic reporting, along with access to core platforms such as ERP, CRM, and supply chain tools.
Leaders also face new questions about responsibility. They need to decide which decisions can be delegated to AI, which require human review, and which should remain entirely in human hands. The research points to a shift from experimentation to operational use as the next major step.
Employees want training and welcome AI tools
The study shows broad support for AI among workers. Most employees believe they can keep up with the pace of technological change, and twice as many say they would welcome more AI in the workplace rather than resist it. Many see AI as a way to cut repetitive tasks and build new skills.
Executives expect that at least half of their workforce will need some form of re-skilling by the end of 2026. Workers themselves say training opportunities matter so much that they are willing to switch employers to find them. This turns skills development into a direct lever for reducing churn and improving retention.
Customers will judge brands by their data policies
Consumer expectations are rising fast. Customers want clarity about how their data is handled, when AI is used in interactions, and how they can opt in or out. Occasional errors may be forgiven, but a lack of transparency will not be.
The report suggests leaders treat transparency as a core feature of their products and services. Choosing AI models that support explainability and offering simple, clear data choices are now central to building trust.
AI sovereignty and local provision gain momentum
AI sovereignty, the organisation’s ability to control its own data and systems, is emerging as a major priority for nearly every executive surveyed. Concerns about cloud jurisdiction and data residency are driving companies to reconsider where models run and where data is physically stored.
This shift reflects rising worry among UK and European leaders about reliance on foreign cloud providers. Experts recommend strategies that emphasise portability, compliance monitoring, and careful attention to the location of data. IBM frames AI resilience as the ability to operate transparently and adapt when global conditions shift.
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Quantum computing moves toward practical use
IBM also points to quantum computing as an area gaining real traction. Early benefits are expected in fields such as optimisation and materials science. The report encourages leaders to identify a small set of high impact use cases and to join quantum ecosystems early. Collaboration may help share costs and speed progress as quantum capabilities mature.
