Majority of Global Executives Believe AI Agents Will Transform Businesses by 2026

The Rise of AI Agents: How They Will Transform Business by 2026

The world of business is on the brink of a major transformation, a shift that many industry leaders see as inevitable. According to recent findings from DeepL, a prominent global AI product and research company, a significant 69% of global executives predict that AI agents will revolutionize business operations by the year 2026. This shift illustrates a moving away from mere AI experimentation towards the implementation of automation at a larger scale, marking one of the most profound changes in operational strategies since the advent of cloud technology.

A New Era in Automation

The transition from AI experimentation to agentic automation is expected to reshape workforce dynamics globally. DeepL's survey captured insights from approximately 5,000 executives in key markets including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan. The responses indicated that many companies are gearing up to deploy autonomous AI agents extensively. These agents are projected to take on knowledge work, enhance productivity, and even revolutionize organizational structures. Jarek Kutylowski, DeepL's CEO, emphasized that AI agents have transitioned from being experimental tools to integral components in business strategies, commenting, "In 2026, AI agents will end the grind of context-switching and repetitive tasks, allowing workers to focus on what drives business advancements."

Expectations and Confidence in AI Adoption

Interestingly, 44% of participants in the research expressed the expectation of major transformations in their organizations due to agentic AI in 2026, while 25% stated that such transformations are already occurring. A mere 7% feel that AI agents won't impact their business processes, underlining a rapid industry-wide adoption. The main factors contributing to this optimism revolve around concrete returns on investment (22%), workforce adaptability (18%), and an increasing readiness among enterprises to embrace AI solutions (18%).

However, the survey did uncover certain obstacles businesses face with AI integration. Cost considerations (16%), the preparedness of the workforce (13%), and the maturity of the technology (12%) were noted as significant challenges to AI agent deployment.

AI: The Growth Catalyst for 2026

Beyond the scope of AI agents themselves, AI technology as a whole is regarded as a significant catalyst for business growth heading into 2026. Over two-thirds of executives reported improved ROI from their AI-related initiatives this year. Furthermore, more than half anticipate that AI will become the most influential force in driving company growth compared to any other technology. The responses varied by region, revealing the UK as a frontrunner, where 80% of business leaders noted measurable improvements from AI, followed by Germany, the US, and France. Japan, on the other hand, showcased a modest 35%, indicating a lag in its AI adoption journey.

Strikingly, over half (51%) of global business leaders believe that AI will create more jobs than it will displace in the coming year. Similarly, 52% expressed that familiarity with AI technologies will become a requisite for the majority of new hires.

Evolving Communication: The Role of Language and Voice AI

The research also highlighted a notable transition in the realm of communication. Language and Voice AI technologies are beginning to establish themselves as indispensable components of enterprise infrastructure. Approximately 64% of global businesses signaled intentions to amplify their investment in language AI throughout 2026. The UK leads this trend with a remarkable 76% of firms expressing interest, with Germany (74%), the US (67%), and France (65%) close behind. It's pertinent to note that Japan displays a more conservative approach at 38%, although a growing number of business leaders are still expressing interest in these tools.

Conversely, Voice AI is rapidly becoming a necessity rather than a mere enhancement, with over half of the executives affirming that real-time voice translation will be crucial in 2026, a jump from only a third indicating so previously. The UK and France are particularly ahead in utilizing real-time voice translation tools, while Japan remains hesitant at a mere 11% reliance.

The primary drivers leading to this increasing demand are advancements in live voice technology (46%), rising customer expectations (40%), and the need for expansion across international markets (38%). "Real-time voice translation is the upcoming layer of global communication," Kutylowski remarked, emphasizing that natural, comprehensible conversations significantly enhance collaboration across borders.

Conclusion

These findings present an insightful glimpse into how AI is set to reshape industries, redefine customer expectations, and influence the competitive landscape over the next few years. Business leaders are armed with critical insights from DeepL to prepare for an era where AI is not just a tool but the backbone of operational effectiveness and innovation. For a deeper look into what DeepL's executive team forecasts for AI across various sectors, including technology and marketing, be sure to check out their comprehensive blog post.

Methodology

This research was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of DeepL, surveying business leaders in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Japan during September 2025. As a trustworthy entity in market research, Censuswide adheres to the ESOMAR principles, ensuring the reliability of their insights.

About DeepL

DeepL is an innovative AI product and research company aimed at providing secure and intelligent solutions for complex business challenges. Trusted by over 200,000 businesses and millions of individuals in 228 global markets, DeepL's Language AI platform has become synonymous with high-quality translation and enhanced writing capabilities. Continuing to innovate, DeepL is expanding its offerings to encompass DeepL Agent—an autonomous AI assistant engineered to transform the workflow and productivity of businesses and knowledge workers. Since its founding in 2017 by Jarek Kutylowski, the company has grown to employ over 1,000 passionate individuals and is backed by leading investors, including Benchmark, IVP, and Index Ventures. For more details about DeepL, visit www.deepl.com.