AI initiatives fragmented, but organizations realize value

By Alex Johnston

As we enter 2026, AI permeates nearly every facet of business. However, its rapid emergence has not been carefully planned or straightforward, and its integration has often been poorly managed. Investments tend toward the sporadic and disconnected, drawing on a fragmented mix of software, hardware and service providers, alongside in‑house development. While this disorganization has contributed to a lack of structured, comprehensive measurement frameworks, organizations are nonetheless clear that the technology is driving gains in productivity and efficiency. AI & Machine Learning, Use Cases 2026 — a survey of 1,007 mid‑level and senior IT and line‑of‑business professionals across North America, Europe and, for the first time, India — examines how enterprises are deploying and managing AI, as well as how they view its impact. This report highlights a small sample of notable findings.