Capgemini: AI Realism Drives 2026 Investments

Capgemini Research Institute's new reports show business leaders adopting pragmatic AI strategies for decision-making. Key releases: The multi-year AI advantage: Building the enterprise of tomorrow and How AI is quietly reshaping executive decisions. In 2026, success hinges on governance, skills, accountability, and human-AI synergy.

In a move from AI hype to realism, organizations are ramping up AI spending for long-term value.

• 2026 priorities: infrastructure, data, governance, workforce upskilling.

• AI success metrics expand to growth, risk management, customer experience.

• Two-thirds of CXOs say stronger governance would boost AI in decisions.

Surging AI Adoption and Investments

The multi-year AI advantage surveyed 1,505 global executives: 38% operationalize generative AI; 60% explore agentic AI (nearly half in China lead US/Europe). Two-thirds fear competitive loss without rapid scaling.

AI ROI now spans revenue growth, risk/compliance, knowledge management, and CX personalization. Over half prioritize data sovereignty. Leaders plan 5% of 2026 budgets for AI (up from 3% in 2025), pausing low-value projects to target infrastructure, data, governance, and upskilling.

“We’ve entered pragmatic AI transformation for enterprise-wide impact on revenue, CX, risk, innovation, and decisions,” says Pascal Brier, Capgemini Chief Innovation Officer. “Prioritize foundations—data, governance, human-AI chemistry—and leadership readiness to embed AI fully.”

AI Transforms Executive Decisions

The decision-making spotlight (500 CXOs, 100 CEOs) reveals over half use AI strategically today—expected to double active use in three years. Current aids: emails, notes, research. Future: strategic thinking augmentation.

Benefits include faster/cheaper decisions and boosted creativity/foresight. Yet AI augments, doesn't replace judgment—1% expect autonomous strategic calls soon. Trust lags (41% above-average), with concerns over legal/security risks and explainability. Only 11% publicize AI use, fearing reputational hits.

Methodology

• Multi-year AI advantage: 1,505 executives ($1B+ revenue firms, 15 industries, Nov 2025).

• Decision-making: 500 C-suite (100 CEOs, $10B+ firms, 16 countries, Aug-Sep 2025; 6 interviews).

AI Perspectives Report | Decision-Making Report