Tag: digital transformation leadership priorities

Pascal Brier, Chief Innovation Officer and Member of the Group Executive Committee at Capgemini, explains why governance and leadership readiness now matter more than speed

Mumbai, 16 January 2026: After several years of experimentation and rapid pilots, organisations are entering a more deliberate phase of artificial intelligence adoption, according to new research released by Capgemini. The findings point to a clear shift away from short-term AI hype towards long-term value creation anchored in governance, skills, accountability, and leadership readiness.
The research, published by the Capgemini Research Institute, indicates that AI is no longer viewed as a peripheral productivity tool but as a core component of enterprise strategy. A growing number of organisations have moved generative AI use cases into live operations, while many are also exploring agent-based AI systems. Business leaders increasingly believe that failing to scale AI at pace with competitors could lead to missed strategic opportunities.

At the same time, how organisations define AI success is evolving. Productivity and cost reduction are no longer the sole benchmarks. Measures now extend to revenue growth, customer experience, risk management, compliance, and knowledge management. This broader view reflects a more mature understanding of AI’s role in enterprise decision making.
Commenting on the shift, Pascal Brier, Chief Innovation Officer and Member of the Group Executive Committee at Capgemini, said organisations have entered a more pragmatic era of AI-driven transformation. He noted that the focus has moved to embedding AI across the enterprise rather than pursuing isolated experiments, with strong foundations in data, governance, and leadership emerging as critical enablers.

The research also highlights that organisations are becoming more selective in their AI investments. Many leaders report pausing lower-value initiatives in favour of projects with clearer outcomes. On average, organisations expect to increase AI spending in 2026, directing funds toward infrastructure, data readiness, governance frameworks, and workforce upskilling to support sustainable adoption.
Alongside operational deployment, AI is beginning to influence executive decision making. A separate Capgemini Research Institute study finds that more than half of CXOs already use AI to support strategic decisions, primarily for research, analysis, and documentation. Over the next few years, leaders expect AI to play a larger role in challenging assumptions and augmenting strategic thinking, while still remaining an input rather than a replacement for human judgement.

Despite growing adoption, trust remains a key concern. Many senior leaders cite legal, security, and explainability risks as barriers to deeper reliance on AI for executive decisions. Clear governance and accountability frameworks are therefore seen as essential to increasing confidence and ensuring responsible use.
As enterprises look ahead to 2026, the research suggests that success with AI will depend less on speed and experimentation, and more on how effectively organisations align technology with leadership, governance, and long-term business objectives.

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