2026 Global AI Report: A Playbook for AI Leaders

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Accelerate toward an AI-native state with executive insights from AI leaders

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.

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• * Research data is sourced from 2,567 C-suite and other senior leaders across 34 markets and 15 industries during September and October 2025.

FAQ

What is NTT DATA's global AI research?

A primary research survey conducted independently for NTT DATA late in 2025 that captures an array of experiences and expectations of global decision-makers. It explores the adoption and impact of AI in general, as well as GenAI and agentic AI, and provides insights into how organizations are transforming operations with these technologies. Most respondents represent large enterprises (84% have over 10,000 employees).

Who is leading in AI?

Based on the research findings, the cohort of AI leaders is mature in their AI adoption (core and non-core implementations), have a well-defined strategy fully aligned between AI and business and are realizing strong ROI from AI. They are nearly 2.5 times more likely than other organizations to post revenue growth of more than 10% and 3.6 times more likely to run at margins of 15% or more.

Who should read this playbook?

This playbook is relevant to C-suite leaders, business and IT executives, AI practitioners, IT strategists, HR and workforce planners, and anyone shaping the future of enterprise operations and work. The insights derived from our global research reveal successful tactics for accelerating AI adoption and driving measurable business outcomes - insights you can use to inform your AI and business strategies, benchmark your organization, and guide operations and workforce planning in your industry.

Key Findings

AI leaders are growth and margin outliers. Nine characteristics illustrate how they operate - both in strategy and execution:

• Strategic alignment and speed: AI leaders win by tightly aligning AI with business strategy and turning strategic focus and speed into outsized financial returns.
• Focused end-to-end approach: Top performers focus on high-value domains that unlock disproportionate economic value and redesign workflows from end to end.
• Flywheel effect: These front-runners create a cycle where initial investments fuel early success that drives reinvestment for further growth.
• Core reinvention: Growth leaders rebuild core applications with embedded AI rather than limiting themselves to surface-level add-ons.
• Secure at scale: AI leaders build scalable and secure stacks, localize or relocate AI infrastructure for private/sovereign AI and invest to eliminate infrastructure bottlenecks.
• Expert-first AI: These front-runners use AI to amplify the impact of experienced, highly skilled employees rather than replace them.
• Change that sticks: Top performers treat adoption as a company-wide change program and adopt constructive change management to reduce resistance.
• Governed for scale: Leading organizations centralize AI governance, formalize enterprise-wide oversight and empower dedicated Chief AI Officers (CAIOs) to own risk and align innovation.
• Partner-powered growth: Best-in-class players lean on strategic external collaborators and are open to outcome-based gain-sharing models that accelerate AI value.

Key Traits of AI Leaders

2.5x

More likely than others to post > 10% revenue growth

3.6x

More likely to run at ≥15% margins

78%

Have a dedicated Chief AI Officer and formal AI governance

Benchmark your progress against your industry and region

The 2026 Global AI Report: A Playbook for AI Leaders draws on insights from 2,567 senior executives across 35 countries and 15 industries, including technology, manufacturing, banking, healthcare and more. Regional highlights and industry-specific findings help you benchmark your organization's AI maturity and identify actionable opportunities in your market.

Access the full report below to explore the complete findings, or read the press release to learn more.

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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."

Abhijit Dubey, CEO and Chief AI Officer, NTT DATA, Inc.

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.