Study Shows 77% of Companies Struggle with AI Agent Management Effectively

Key Insights from Redwood Software's 2026 Report on AI Agents

A recent study conducted by Redwood Software, a leader in autonomous enterprise orchestration, exposes a significant problem within enterprises regarding the management of AI agents. Released on October 22, 2026, the “2026 Report on Enterprise AI and Agentic Orchestration” highlights that 77% of companies have suffered adverse effects due to ungoverned AI agents. With a panel comprised of 300 senior-level executives and professionals specializing in technology, risk management, and AI, the findings raise alarms about the current state of AI integration.

Rapid Growth of AI Agents

The report reveals a stark acceleration in the adoption rate of AI agents among businesses, with 89% of respondents confirming an increase in agent deployment over the last year. This rising trend, however, comes at a cost—those same companies have encountered unexpected expenditures primarily related to cloud computing, operational disruptions, and compliance issues stemming from poorly managed AI agents.

While many organizations ramp up their usage of AI, the challenge lies in establishing a cohesive strategy for integrating and overseeing these agents. The study discovers that responsibilities are often scattered across various teams, leading to inconsistencies in governance and transparency.

Major Obstacles Identified

Interestingly, 82% of survey participants believe that existing systems pose more significant barriers to deploying AI than a lack of strategy. This indicates that the difficulties in connecting AI agents to legacy and central systems are critical hurdles that need to be addressed. Despite 54% of companies asserting they are ready to orchestrate AI within their existing frameworks, a mere 42% reported having a central registry for deployed agents, while only 51% have real-time monitoring in place.

Furthermore, the findings indicate a severe fragmentation of accountability regarding AI agents. No single function can assume ownership of AI agent governance, making it a collective responsibility shared across IT operations, AI, automation, and software engineering teams. This lack of clarity leads to operational risks as deployments of these agents frequently outpace organizational governance and visibility.

Executive Insights and Recommendations

Executives reveal a gap in confidence regarding the autonomy they grant AI agents. Many rely on these systems for critical tasks without adequate oversight. Charles Crouchman, Redwood's Product Director, noted, "The demonstration of capability is the easy part. The real challenge arises at the intersection of an AI agent and a production system, financial transaction, or customer interaction." He emphasized the necessity of embedding governance into the orchestration platform—rather than using a static policy framework that reviews incidents post-factum.

The survey further illustrates what would aid in enhancing confidence in AI agents: 62% of respondents pointed to the need for improved observability and real-time visibility, while 58% underscored the importance of proven capabilities to integrate agents with existing or legacy systems.

Conclusion and Future Implications

The “2026 Report on Enterprise AI and Agentic Orchestration” serves as a crucial reminder of the complexities businesses face in adopting AI technologies. Redwood Software, with over 30 years of experience, aims to alleviate these challenges by providing solutions that promote intelligent orchestration of vital business processes across intricate systems.

In a digital landscape increasingly dominated by AI, organizations must prioritize robust governance frameworks to mitigate risks and capitalize on the potential of their AI deployments. As we move forward, implementing structured protocols for AI agent management becomes imperative for success in the autonomous enterprise landscape.