C-Suite Executives Embrace AI Yet Face Readiness Challenges in 2026

Increasing AI Adoption in C-Suite Despite Readiness Issues

In a recent report published by CGI, one of the world’s leading independent IT and business consulting firms, a significant trend has emerged: while C-suite executives are boldly embracing artificial intelligence (AI), their organizations are lagging in terms of readiness to fully leverage its capabilities. Published on June 18, 2026, this study reflects insights gathered from over 1,800 business and technology leaders, including many executives at the highest level.

Key Trends in AI and Business Strategy

CGI's research points to three primary trends shaping how companies approach digital transformation and AI integration:

1. Adaptive and Resilient Organizations: The study reveals that 70% of C-suite executives recognize the ongoing acceleration of technology adoption as a critical macro trend. However, the rapidly changing economic environment prompts a reconfiguration of supply chains and a heightened focus on geopolitical complexities. In response, 52% of executives prioritize developing data sovereignty and local cloud strategies, even as only 25% consider their current operational models highly agile.

2. Ambition vs. Readiness in AI Adoption: The report indicates that over the past two years, the implementation of Generative AI has surged by an impressive 30 percentage points. Currently, 62% of organizations are incorporating AI into their core business practices. Yet, the challenge remains: enterprise readiness is not keeping pace with this adoption, emphasizing the urgent need for foundational system upgrades and operational model reassessment. Alarmingly, while 40% of companies report having an enterprise-wide AI strategy, only 20% have extended this strategy to cover their wider ecosystem. Nearly half of the organizations fail to quantify the outcomes from their AI deployments effectively.

3. Talent and Capacity Constraints: C-suite executives are confronted with pressing cost pressures while grappling with outdated legacy systems that hinder their data and AI strategies. An alarming 70% find it increasingly difficult to recruit skilled IT professionals, with 52% stating that talent shortages are significantly impacting their strategic programs. This situation has led many leaders to consider managed services options to enhance their operational efficiency and AI transformation capabilities.

The Path Forward

As Tim Hurlebaus, President and CEO of CGI, highlights, navigating this complex landscape requires organizations to prioritize measurable outcomes amidst regulatory pressures and system fragmentation. The latest insights from CGI’s annual Voice of Our Clients research reflect a strategic pivot towards digital engineering and organizational reinvention, aimed at scaling AI effectively and realizing digital transformation goals.

Regardless of the challenges, many clients are consolidating their partnerships with fewer, yet more trusted, entities capable of delivering comprehensive business consulting, systems integration, and digital engineering. This trend illustrates the necessity of modernized foundations to derive true value from AI rather than complicating matters with fragmented data and outdated operational models.

Dave Henderson, Chief Technology Officer at CGI, underscores the current emphasis on not just AI adoption, but on execution with tangible returns. Organizations must shift away from standalone AI applications to adopting integrated, enterprise-wide AI functionalities that consistently generate value and maintain a competitive edge.

As we look to the future, it’s essential that business leaders continue to push for frameworks that support technology, human talent, and process alignment. CGI’s AI-ready methodology provides organizations with strategic insights to transform their data infrastructures and ecosystem relationships effectively, thus fostering scalable impacts.

For deeper dives and additional insights into the CGI Voice of Our Clients report and its implications for various industries, you can visit cgi.com/voice-of-our-clients.

About CGI

Founded in 1976, CGI stands as a giant in the realm of independent IT and business consulting services, employing over 94,000 professionals across the globe. The company offers a comprehensive suite of capabilities ranging from strategic consulting to managed IT and business process services. With a revenue of CA$15.91 billion reported for fiscal year 2025, CGI aims to drive digital transformation and support clients in achieving significant results in a competitive landscape.