Gartner, a provider of business and technology insights, has unveiled its strategic predictions for 2026 and beyond, highlighting the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on talent, sovereignty, and business operations. The forecasts were presented at the Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo 2025 in Orlando, where analysts explored how AI is reshaping industries in what they call a “world of shattered norms.”
“The risks and opportunities of rapid technology change are increasingly affecting human behavior and choices,” said Daryl Plummer, VP, Distinguished Analyst, Gartner Fellow and Chief of AI Research at Gartner. “CIOs and executive leaders must prioritize behavioral change alongside technological change to prepare effectively for the future.”
AI and Talent Transformation
By 2027, Gartner predicts that 75 percent of hiring processes will incorporate AI proficiency certifications and testing, making AI literacy a core job qualification. As generative AI (GenAI) skills increasingly correlate with higher salaries, candidates who demonstrate the ability to use AI to enhance productivity and decision-making will stand out.
However, by 2026, half of global organizations will require “AI-free” skills assessments to test candidates’ independent problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities. This shift aims to preserve human judgment amid growing AI reliance and will create a new market for AI-free evaluation platforms.
AI Sovereignty and Regional Fragmentation
By 2027, 35 percent of countries will operate region-specific AI platforms using proprietary contextual data, driven by regulation, language, and cultural differences. This trend toward AI localization will challenge multinational organizations to manage compliance across diverse markets.
Global AI providers will need to demonstrate contextual accuracy and trust to retain market share in regions with stringent data and sovereignty laws.
AI Agents Redefine Customer Experience and B2B Commerce
By 2028, organizations using multiagent AI for 80 percent of customer-facing processes will outperform competitors. Hybrid models combining AI-driven automation with human empathy will become the standard in customer relationship management (CRM). Companies that fail to adopt these systems risk losing market share as consumers increasingly expect low-effort, instant service experiences.
In B2B markets, Gartner expects 90 percent of purchasing decisions to be mediated by AI agents by 2028, channeling over $15 trillion in global B2B spending. This evolution will create a data feed economy, where verified operational data serves as digital currency and AI-powered marketplaces drive frictionless commerce.
Rising AI Risks and Regulatory Pressures
Gartner warns that by 2026, “death by AI” legal claims will surpass 2,000 globally due to insufficient risk management and safety failures in AI systems. This will lead to heightened regulatory scrutiny, recalls, and litigation. Companies will increasingly highlight their AI safety practices—or even minimal AI use—to protect their reputation.
Additionally, fragmented AI regulations are expected to cover 50 percent of the global economy by 2027, driving more than $5 billion in compliance investments. Dedicated AI governance programs will emerge to address rapidly evolving laws and manage AI-related risks.
Programmable Money and Autonomous Transactions
By 2030, 20 percent of global monetary transactions will include programmable conditions, allowing AI agents to autonomously negotiate and execute payments. This shift will revolutionize supply chain finance, digital assets, and autonomous business operations.
However, challenges such as security risks, interoperability gaps, and fragmented blockchain standards will slow adoption, prompting regulators to develop new frameworks for programmable financial systems.
AI-Driven Productivity Revolution
Through 2027, AI agents and GenAI technologies will drive a $58 billion market shakeup, challenging legacy productivity tools for the first time in three decades. Vendors are expected to introduce no-cost AI features, democratizing access and accelerating enterprise adoption.
Organizations that effectively harness GenAI for workflow automation and innovation will outpace competitors in efficiency, adaptability, and growth.
The Future of AI Governance and Enterprise Strategy
As AI evolves, enterprises will need to balance innovation with governance, transparency, and ethical use. Gartner’s predictions signal a future where multiagent ecosystems, AI literacy, sovereignty, and machine economies redefine how businesses operate, compete, and grow.
Rajani Baburajan
