Businesses plan major AI investment surge for 2026 - but security and privacy fears threaten progress

"Businesses are preparing to sharply increase their investment in artificial intelligence next year, even as concerns around data privacy, regulatory compliance and security risks continue to weigh heavily on IT leaders. New research from enterprise content management platform Storyblok shows that nine in ten companies plan to raise their AI budgets in 2026, with more than half expecting a "significant" uplift. Only 2% anticipate cutting their AI spending."

"The survey of 200 senior IT and procurement professionals, all responsible for AI deployment within large organisations, suggests that despite market jitters about an AI bubble, corporate appetite for automation and generative tools remains strong. According to the report, 39% of respondents say AI is now "fully integrated" across their organisation, while a further 39% describe their readiness as "mature". Just 7% consider themselves still at the "piloting'' stage, signalling a rapid shift toward enterprise-wide AI implementation."

"Leaders also expect clear financial and operational returns. Over half cited operational efficiency as the strongest benefit of AI adoption, followed by faster time-to-value, enhanced employee productivity, and improved decision-making. Yet this enthusiasm is tempered by growing anxiety about governance and risk. The top obstacles to successful AI adoption were: Data privacy and regulatory concerns (61%), Security risks (58%) and Legacy technology restrictions (43%)."

Nine in ten companies plan to raise AI budgets in 2026, with more than half expecting significant increases and only 2% planning cuts. AI is fully integrated in 39% of organisations and another 39% rate readiness as mature, while 7% remain at the piloting stage. Leaders expect operational efficiency, faster time-to-value, enhanced employee productivity, and improved decision-making as primary returns. Main adoption obstacles are data privacy and regulatory concerns (61%), security risks (58%), and legacy technology restrictions (43%). Firms want stronger data governance, better system integration, and greater vendor transparency; pricing ranks low at 12%. An overwhelming 91% believe generative AI will transform content management, though most firms are not ready.

Read at Business Matters