HCLSoftware’s Tech Trends 2026 report points to a fundamental shift in how global enterprises are structured and run, with AI agents rapidly moving from experimentation to the core of day-to-day operations. Drawing on insights from more than 173 CXOs worldwide, the study shows that AI systems are already deeply embedded in production environments, signalling the start of a new operating era defined by autonomy, adaptability, and scale.
According to the report, eight out of ten enterprises are already running AI systems in live production. More significantly, 85% of organisations are either piloting or actively operating autonomous AI agents—systems that can take actions independently rather than simply offering recommendations. This marks a clear departure from earlier phases of AI adoption, where proof-of-concept projects dominated boardroom conversations.
Kalyan Kumar (KK), chief product officer at HCLSoftware, emphasised that the transformation underway is as much organisational as it is technological. “Enterprises will be defined less by what they build and more by what they allow technology to decide, adapt and govern on their behalf. The next 24–36 months belong to leaders who can turn intelligence into a living operating model — autonomous by default, resilient at scale, and sovereign by design,” he said. The report suggests that this mindset shift will separate future-ready enterprises from those struggling to adapt.
Autonomy, the study notes, is spreading across the entire technology stack. As many as 92% of organisations are now engaging robotics powered by cloud and cognitive systems, while more than 70% are already using immersive computing technologies in real, operational workflows rather than isolated pilots. Together, these trends indicate that intelligent systems are increasingly embedded into physical processes, decision-making loops, and frontline operations.
However, the report also highlights a widening gap between adoption speed and organisational readiness. While nearly 80% of enterprises are running or testing autonomous agents, only 26% report having clear governance frameworks in place. This imbalance is pushing issues such as cybersecurity, trust, and transparency to the forefront, with one in three enterprises now treating them as urgent priorities. Encouragingly, 79% of respondents said responsible AI initiatives are already underway.
HCLSoftware concludes that this governance gap will define the next phase of enterprise transformation. As software increasingly decides, adapts, and operates on behalf of organisations, human roles will shift toward oversight, accountability, and strategic direction—reshaping how enterprises measure control, resilience, and long-term value in an AI-driven world.
