2026 Global AI Report: A Playbook for AI Leaders
What AI leaders do differently
A new era of AI leadership
In 2025, a clear theme emerged from our global AI research: “Playtime is over.” Organizations were moving away from AI experimentation to practical application, with clear business outcomes.
This year’s global research findings reveal that AI-driven transformation is reshaping business models, redefining the workforce and fueling growth. In short: Your AI strategy is your business strategy.
The 2026 Global AI Report: A Playbook for AI Leaders is the first in a series of content based on our global research*. It provides a roadmap for accelerating toward an AI-native state by embedding AI into the organization’s strategy, operations and culture.
Discover how some global executives are outpacing others in growth, margin and innovation. Complete the form to access your download.
* Research data is sourced from 2,567 C-suite and other senior leaders across 34 markets and 15 industries during September and October 2025
Additional insights for business leaders
AI as a boardroom imperative
AI is no longer a side project. Leading organizations treat AI as a business accelerator, embedding it into strategy and operations for measurable impact.
Investment begets results, which begets investment
Positive results from AI investments compound progress and growth, creating a cycle in which impact drives further investment and innovation.
Governance and change management
Leaders formalize and embed AI governance with steering committees, safety and ops teams, and CAIOs for ethical, scalable, reduced-risk adoption.
Competitive differentiation
Security, privacy and responsible innovation set AI leaders apart in a crowded market.
Industry benchmarks
Compare your sector's AI maturity and adoption rate with global leaders.
Actionable recommendations
Download the report for practical steps to accelerate your organization’s AI journey.
Additional insights for AI practitioners
End-to-end automation
AI leaders select domains with clear return and then automate core workflows across the enterprise to deliver business value faster in both front- and back-office processes.
Co-innovation and partnerships
High-performing organizations value co-innovation with partners and clients to rebuild core applications with embedded AI and create tailored AI solutions.
Technical excellence
Leaders invest in scalable, secure and sovereign AI platforms, including AI factories and ecosystems, addressing infrastructure bottlenecks and data privacy across geographies.
Empowering experienced staff
The primary workforce goal of leaders is to empower skilled employees with AI tools, enabling them to focus on higher-value work.
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Key traits of AI leaders
2.5x
more likely than others to post ˃10% revenue growth3.6x
more likely to run at ≥15% margins78%
have a dedicated Chief AI Officer and formal AI governance
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Once AI and business strategies are aligned, the single most effective move is to pick one or two domains that deliver disproportionate value and redesign them end-to-end with AI.
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