Global organizations are rapidly transitioning from experimental pilots to embedding artificial intelligence into their core workflows, marking the beginning of the “Intelligence Age,” according to the KPMG Global Tech Report 2026.
The study, which surveyed 2,500 executives across 27 countries, reveals a massive surge in technological optimism. While only 11% of organizations currently consider themselves at the highest level of technology maturity, a staggering 50% of tech leaders expect to reach that peak by the end of 2026.
This shift is being driven by the integration of advanced technologies into core systems to scale their impact rather than keeping them in isolated departments.
The Rise of the ‘High Performers’
The report identifies an elite group of “high performers” who are already reaping significant rewards. These organizations—defined by their maturity in technology and process—report an average ROI of 4.5x on their tech investments, more than double the industry average of 2x.
“The future belongs to leaders who turn intelligence into advantage,” said Guy Holland, Global Leader of the CIO Center of Excellence at KPMG International.
“Our research shows organizations are pushing past the early phase of ‘AI roulette’ and are now increasingly focused on delivering value”.
Key Findings: From Pilots to ‘Agentic’ AI
Agentic AI Takeover: 88% of companies are now investing in agentic AI—autonomous digital agents capable of making decisions and executing complex tasks without constant human intervention.
The Maturity Gap: While 74% of respondents report that AI is creating measurable business value, only 24% have successfully achieved ROI across multiple use cases.
Human-Centric Future: Despite the rapid adoption of AI, humans remain central. Organizations expect 42% of their tech workforce to remain permanent human staff by 2027, with high performers planning to retain 50%.
Skill Shortages: A significant barrier remains talent; 53% of organizations admit they lack the skilled workers needed to realize their digital transformation strategies.
The Next Wave: Quantum and ASI
Looking beyond 2026, the report warns that “static planning is becoming obsolete”. Leaders are already preparing for the next disruptive wave, including quantum computing and Artificial Superintelligence (ASI).
Approximately 78% of organizations agree they must take more risks on these emerging technologies to remain relevant in a fast-evolving competitive landscape.
To bridge the gap, 90% of organizations plan to expand their partnerships and tech ecosystems over the next year to access specialized expertise.
The report concludes that success in the Intelligence Age requires a delicate balance of bold ambition with disciplined execution and a culture that prioritizes people alongside technological innovation.
