Companies are more actively implementing AI agents

According to the results of the Global AI Pulse Q3 2026 study conducted by KPMG, 89% of companies in the world are already benefiting from the use of artificial intelligence in their activities.

AI agents that can perform specific tasks and automate work processes are also on the rise. The share of companies where employees actively use such tools increased from 25% to 34% from the beginning of 2026.

The study surveyed 2,131 executives responsible for the strategy and operations of companies in 20 countries, territories and jurisdictions. The survey was conducted in the summer of 2026 among organizations with annual revenue of $50 million or more, although higher thresholds were applied for certain markets.

Business increases budgets for artificial intelligence

Companies plan to continue to increase funding for AI solutions. Over the next year, the average volume of planned investments is $210 million per organization.

For comparison, in the first quarter of 2026, this indicator was equal to $186 million. The increase in investment indicates that businesses are increasingly considering artificial intelligence as a tool to improve operational processes and increase efficiency.

However, increased budgets do not always mean that companies can accurately determine the financial result of technology implementation. According to KPMG, there remains a significant gap between controlling AI spending and assessing the real return on investment.

Only a part of the companies systematically assess the payback of AI

More than half of the surveyed organizations control the costs of artificial intelligence even before the launch of projects. In particular, 61% of companies analyze the budget at the stage of approval of initiatives, and 59% continue to track costs after implementing solutions.

At the same time, only 12% of organizations systematically compare AI spending with company-wide results. Among enterprises that already have a confirmed return on such investments, the share is 48%.

This indicates that the main task for business is not only the implementation of new tools, but also the determination of specific indicators of their effectiveness. Without such an approach, it is more difficult for companies to understand which solutions really add value and which need revision.

Management takes responsibility for the use of AI

With the spread of technology, companies are paying more attention to risk management and accountability for decisions made with the help of artificial intelligence.

According to the results of the study, 55% of organizations have a formalized AI management model, and 53% assign responsibility for relevant decisions to the level of top management.

Among companies that already receive a stable return on investment in technology, 86% have implemented formal AI management mechanisms. This shows the connection between an organized approach to the use of technology and the ability of a business to obtain measurable results from it.

Cyber ​​security is becoming one of the priorities

More active use of artificial intelligence is forcing companies to review their approaches to protecting information and responding to cyber threats.

According to KPMG, 86% of organizations are adapting their cybersecurity operational models taking into account the new risks associated with the development of AI.

Among companies that have already confirmed a return on investment in artificial intelligence, 71% identify cybersecurity and data protection as one of the key areas of funding for AI initiatives. For organizations that are experimenting with the technology, this figure is only 36%.

Thus, the development of AI requires from business not only financial investments, but also proper management, data protection and clear evaluation of results. It is the combination of these factors that helps companies turn technological experiments into practical benefits.