2026 State of AI and Analytics Trends Report

Agentic AI has moved beyond the hype cycle—65% of organizational resources are now funneled directly into AI projects, with investments in agentic AI forecast to rise another 20% in the next 12–24 months. But while AI is drawing unprecedented investment, execution lags behind. 51% of product teams are embedding agents into workflows, yet 57% still cite data quality as the number one barrier to scaling AI.

The contradiction is stark: 85% of organizations say innovation is a strategic priority, but only 5% have reached maturity in AI agent development. This widening gap between ambition and delivery creates both urgency and opportunity for product and development leaders. The question is no longer whether to build with AI—it’s how to do it reliably, responsibly, and at scale.

The 2026 report outlines the trends defining the next wave of software innovation. From embedding automation directly into production, to tackling trust and compliance, to redefining talent needs for AI integration, these insights provide a roadmap to turn investments into outcomes.