IBM Predicts Agentic AI Quantum Computing and Data Policy Trends for 2026

Enterprise leaders are entering 2026 with an uncomfortable mix of volatility, optimism, and mounting pressure to accelerate adoption of AI and quantum computing, according to a paper published by the IBM Institute for Business Value. Its findings draw on responses from more than 1,000 C-suite executives and 8,500 employees and consumers.

While only around a third of executives are optimistic about the global economy, more than four in five are confident about their own organisation's performance in the year ahead.

Executives expect to make faster decisions and are willing to redesign operating models, while employees are broadly positive about AI in their working lives. Customers, in turn, are ready to reward — or punish — brands based on how companies use their data.

📌 Trend 1: Agentic AI as a Strategic Asset

Agentic AI is emerging as one of the primary tools leaders plan to deploy in the coming year, and most executives say AI agents are already delivering value. However, for agentic AI to succeed at scale, several foundational requirements must be met:

• Data architecture must support near real-time insight — not just periodic reporting.
• AI agents' success depends on access to core systems such as ERP, CRM, and supply chain platforms.
• Agentic AI is shifting from experimental to operational.
• Leaders must decide which decisions can be delegated to AI agents, which require human review, and which must remain fully human-led.

📌 Trend 2: Employees Embrace AI and Demand Better Training

Most employees report that the pace of technology change in their roles is sustainable, and they feel confident about keeping up with new tools.

Notably, twice as many employees say they would embrace — rather than resist — greater use of AI in the workplace, viewing the technology as a means to eliminate repetitive tasks and acquire new skills. This aligns closely with findings published in research by KPMG.

⚠️ Leaders should anticipate that at least half their workforce will need some form of re-skilling by the end of 2026, driven by AI automation. Other surveys concur with IBM, identifying problem-solving, creativity, and innovation as the most in-demand skills.

Employees have also indicated they are willing to change employers to access better training opportunities — meaning skills development now plays a direct role in reducing employee churn.

📌 Trend 3: Customers Will Hold Data Policies to Account

Surveyed executives agreed that consumer trust in a brand's use of AI will define the success of new products and services. Consumers are willing to tolerate occasional errors — but not opacity.

Customers are asking for:

• Clear explanations of how their data is used
• Disclosure of when AI is involved in interactions
• Simple, accessible ways to opt in or out

Studies by Deloitte and KPMG reinforce this picture. Key implications for leaders include treating transparency as a product feature and selecting AI models that actively support explainability.

📌 Trend 4: AI and Cloud Will Require Local Provision

AI sovereignty — an organisation's ability to control and govern its AI systems, data, and infrastructure — has moved to the centre of resilience planning. Almost all executives surveyed said they will factor AI sovereignty into their 2026 strategy.

In light of growing concerns about data residency and cloud jurisdiction, leaders are rethinking where models run and where data lives. Studies from UK and European IT leaders show rising concern about over-reliance on foreign — particularly US-based — cloud services.

Advisory firm Accenture also urges leaders (PDF) to develop sovereign AI strategies that prioritise control, transparency, and choice.

💡 Key takeaways include the need for portable AI platforms, continuous monitoring for data compliance, and a heavy emphasis on the physical location of data. AI resilience is ultimately about continuity and transparency — ensuring the organisation can adapt and operate openly, even as global technological and geopolitical landscapes shift.

📌 Trend 5: Planning for Quantum Advantage

The report signals that quantum computing is moving towards near-term experimentation. IBM's own research on quantum readiness suggests that early quantum advantage is likely in targeted domains such as optimisation and materials science.

"Identify big bets to win with emerging technologies, including quantum, and partner on innovation to share costs."

— IBM Institute for Business Value Report

The report urges enterprises to identify a small number of high-impact quantum use cases and join innovation ecosystems early to gain a competitive foothold as the technology matures.

Image source: "California Perfect" by moonjazz is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.