Despite massive investments in artificial intelligence over the past few years, most companies have not yet managed to profit from it. However, according to industry experts, 2026 could mark a decisive turning point, with profitability prospects finally achievable. What strategies will companies need to adopt to maximize their gains?
The 3 key points not to miss
- Investments in AI could become profitable in 2026, according to some experts.
- To succeed, companies must focus on truly useful AI projects.
- Employee training and the adoption of agentic AI remain major challenges.
Colossal investments in AI
In recent years, companies have injected considerable amounts into the development of artificial intelligence. OpenAI, for example, plans to invest up to 1.4 trillion dollars in the coming years. Meanwhile, Meta has announced a budget of 65 billion dollars for 2025, while Amazon has already spent 50 billion dollars to strengthen its infrastructure.
Despite this influx of capital, 95% of companies have not yet seen a significant return on investment. However, experts predict that this situation could evolve favorably by 2026.
Strategies for effective AI integration
For artificial intelligence to become profitable, a reevaluation of current strategies is necessary. According to China Widener, vice president of Deloitte, it is essential to focus on truly useful projects rather than pursuing technological advancements at all costs.
Adopting a more targeted approach, particularly with the integration of agentic AI, could transform the current landscape. However, only 11% of organizations have currently implemented AI agents in production, according to Deloitte’s Tech Trends report.
Challenges of adopting agentic AI
Despite the potential of agentic AI, its adoption remains limited, especially in the commercial sector. Gartner estimates that more than 40% of agentic AI projects could be canceled by 2027. This highlights the need for a more strategic approach to leverage these technologies.
Trust also plays a crucial role. Roger Moore, director of innovation at Mastercard, emphasizes that the convergence of AI-driven autonomy and the evolution of trust will be decisive for the large-scale deployment of automated commerce.
Training and technological mastery
Another major obstacle to AI profitability is the lack of mastery of this technology by employees. Training, particularly in the IT field, is essential to improve AI reliability and reduce errors.
Companies will need to invest in developing their employees’ skills to fully exploit the potential of artificial intelligence.
Context: the evolution of artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence has experienced rapid growth over the past decades. Initially focused on research and development, it has gradually found applications in various industrial sectors. Today, AI is at the heart of many innovations, from virtual assistants to autonomous vehicles.
The massive investments by companies reflect their desire to remain competitive in a constantly evolving market. As 2026 approaches, the pressure to achieve a return on these investments could accelerate the adoption and development of new AI solutions, paving the way for a new era of digital transformation.