Global Executives Anticipate Major Impact of AI Agents on Business by 2026

Transformation through AI Agents by 2026

A new study conducted by DeepL, a prominent player in the field of AI products and research, reveals that 69% of global executives predict a significant shift in business operations due to AI agents by the year 2026. This transition marks a move from merely experimenting with artificial intelligence to actively integrating agent-based automation into organizational practices.

Key Findings from the Study

Involving responses from 5,000 executives across Germany, France, the USA, the UK, and Japan, the research highlights several critical insights:
1. Shift from Experimentation to Integration: A majority of the surveyed leaders expect that agent-based AI will enhance their existing procedures, facilitating knowledge work, boosting efficiency, and restructuring organizational frameworks. This transformational phase is noted to be comparable to the impact of the cloud's introduction in business.

2. Widespread Adoption: Nearly 44% of global executives foresee a substantial transformation driven by AI agents in the coming year, while 25% believe this change is already underway. The rapid pace of these implementations is evident as only 7% of respondents hold the view that AI agents will not affect their operational workflows.

3. Factors for Successful Deployment: When asked about the prerequisites for effectively utilizing AI agents, the respondents named measurable efficiency and ROI (22%), workforce adaptability (18%), and increased organizational readiness (18%) as the top three factors. Conversely, significant hurdles to implementation included costs (16%), workforce readiness (13%), and technological maturity (12%).

The Role of AI in Business Growth

AI is not just limited to agent-based advancements; it is recognized as a crucial driver of economic growth in 2026. Over two-thirds (67%) of executives reported an increase in the ROI from their AI initiatives in the past year, with more than half (52%) anticipating that AI will outpace other technologies in contributing to business growth in the following year. In terms of tangible improvements, Germany (78%) and the UK (80%) lead the pack, with the USA (71%) and France (70%) closely behind.

In contrast, Japan shows a significantly lower adoption rate at 35%, indicating a slower pace of implementation and readiness. Furthermore, 51% of global executives believe that in 2026, AI will create more new roles than it displaces, and 52% expect that AI skills will become a necessary requirement for most new hires.

AI Speech Technology: A Core Component

The study also emphasizes the rising significance of AI speech technology as a fundamental element of corporate infrastructure. Almost two-thirds (64%) of global businesses are looking to increase their investments in AI speech technology by 2026, prominently led by the UK (76%) and Germany (74%). As multinational communication evolves, the demand for multilingual support and content becomes crucial for global expansion, reflected in the USA (67%) and France (65%) also prioritizing such advancements.

Japan, however, appears to maintain a conservative stance at just 38%, though interest is noted among more than a third of executives, suggesting a gradual evolution.

Moreover, over half (54%) of global executives regard real-time language translation as an essential component for the upcoming year, a significant increase from the previous one-third (32%) acknowledging its importance. Leaders in the UK (48%) and France (33%) leverage real-time translation tools effectively, whereas, in Japan, the adoption remains minimal at 11%.

Driven by technological innovations in real-time translation (46%), customer expectations (40%), and cross-market expansion (38%), the demand reflects a broad trend toward enhanced communication capabilities.

Jarek Kutylowski, the CEO of DeepL, emphasizes, "Real-time language translation represents the next evolution in global interactions. When people can converse naturally with full understanding, it greatly enhances collaboration."

In conclusion, these insights from DeepL's study illuminate the anticipated role of AI in reshaping industries, redefining customer expectations, and impacting competitive landscapes. The progressive integration of AI, particularly through agents and enhanced communication technologies, signifies an exciting future for businesses worldwide.

Conclusion

The research was performed in September 2025 by Censuswide, commissioned by DeepL. Participants included leaders from Germany, France, the USA, the UK, and Japan. Following ESOMAR guidelines, Censuswide is a member of the Market Research Society.

DeepL stands as a global leader in AI products and research, dedicated to crafting secure and intelligent solutions for complex business issues. Trusted by over 200,000 business clients and millions of individual users across 228 markets, DeepL's speech technology allows for natural-sounding translations, text optimization, and real-time language interpretation. Founded by Jarek Kutylowski in 2017, DeepL has grown to employ over 1,000 professionals and receives backing from esteemed investors like Benchmark, IVP, and Index Ventures. To learn more, visit DeepL's website.