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.
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2026 priorities: infrastructure, data, governance, workforce upskilling.
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AI success metrics expand to growth, risk management, customer experience.
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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
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Multi-year AI advantage: 1,505 executives ($1B+ revenue firms, 15 industries, Nov 2025).
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Decision-making: 500 C-suite (100 CEOs, $10B+ firms, 16 countries, Aug-Sep 2025; 6 interviews).
AI Perspectives Report | Decision-Making Report
