#DeepL #AI Agents #Business Transformation

The Future of AI Agents in Business

In a world increasingly influenced by technology, a new report from DeepL highlights a significant trend: the rising role of AI agents in business operations. According to a recent survey conducted among 5,000 executives across major economies, including the United States, the UK, Germany, France, and Japan, 69% of business leaders anticipate that AI agents will dramatically transform their operations by 2026.

A Shift from Experimentation to Integration

As companies traverse through the digital age, the expectations surrounding AI technology are shifting. The study indicates a pivotal year ahead, where businesses transition from merely experimenting with AI to leveraging it for intelligent automation. DeepL’s CEO, Jarek Kutylowski, asserts, “AI agents are no longer experiments; they are inevitable. The next phase involves their deep integration into our workflows.” This move could signify one of the most significant organizational transformations since the adoption of cloud technology.

Insights from Global Leaders

The survey revealed that nearly half of the respondents (44%) foresee a substantial impact from AI agents within the coming year, with another quarter (25%) affirming that this transformation has already begun. Only a mere 7% believe AI agents will not influence their operations, showcasing a robust trend of adoption.

Key factors driving this confidence include:

• - Return on Investment (ROI) and efficiency (22%)
• - Adaptability of the workforce (18%)
• - Growing readiness of enterprises (18%)

In contrast, obstacles hindering AI agent implementation encompass:

• - Costs (16%)
• - Workforce preparation (13%)
• - Technological maturity (12%)

AI as a Growth Driver

Beyond agents, AI as a whole is increasingly viewed as a primary growth engine for businesses heading into 2026. Over two-thirds (67%) of leaders note a rise in the ROI of their AI initiatives this year, and more than half (52%) expect AI to contribute to growth more than any other technology in the upcoming year.

Notably, the UK leads with 80% reporting measurable ROI from AI, followed by Germany (78%), the US (71%), and France (70%), while Japan lags at 35%, indicating slower adoption and preparation. Interestingly, over half (51%) of global executives believe that AI will create more job opportunities than it eliminates over the next year.

The Evolution of Language and Voice AI

DeepL’s survey also underscores the growing role of linguistic and voice AI as foundational elements of corporate infrastructure. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of international firms plan to boost their investments in language AI by 2026, with the UK (76%) and Germany (74%) at the forefront. These advancements highlight the critical role that multilingual communication and content generation will play in promoting global growth.

In terms of voice AI, a significant shift is observed as more than half (54%) of leaders view real-time voice translation as essential by 2026, rising from just a third (32%) currently. The UK (48%) and France (33%) lead in early adoption, while Japan remains hesitant, showing only an 11% usage rate at present. Factors pushing this demand forward include advances in live voice technology (46%) and customer expectations (40%).

As Kutylowski remarks,