Global AI Pulse Q2 2026

KPMG’s Q2 Global AI Pulse, based on a survey of more than 2,100 senior leaders across 20 countries, territories and jurisdictions, reveals that confidence in AI continues to rise and spending remains steady. As organizations move from experimentation toward broader deployment, they are shifting their focus from deployment toward accountability, AI economics and value.

While many organizations are realizing benefits, established ROI remains limited. The findings suggest that the strongest outcomes are not coming from those deploying more AI, but from those investing in the capabilities required to scale it effectively, including clear accountability, stronger governance and visibility into the costs of operating AI.

Key highlights

Organizations with full visibility into AI operating costs are five times more likely to report established ROI than those without (15% vs. 3%)

Spending more on AI is not the same as leading with it. The doubling of orchestration this quarter shows the frontier is moving. The harder question is whether leadership capability is moving with it.

Mazhar Hussain

Partner, Digital Foundation

KPMG Middle East

Explore what the data reveals about how organizations are turning AI adoption into measurable business value

The Global AI Pulse Q2 2026 report shows organizations moving from experimentation toward broader deployment, but with a more practical challenge emerging: translating growing adoption into measurable and sustainable business value.

In the full report, you’ll discover:

Where the gap lies between AI adoption and measurable business value, and how organizations are starting to close it.
What’s changing as AI scales, as focus shifts toward accountability, economics and execution, not just deployment.
What differentiates organizations that are reporting stronger outcomes, including the role of accountability, governance and cost visibility.
How organizations are responding as the cost of scaling AI becomes more visible, including changes to deployment decisions when value is uncertain.
Why translating AI adoption into consistent business outcomes remains a challenge, even as adoption and confidence continue to rise.

Read the press release

The Global AI Pulse Q2

Global AI Pulse Q2 2026

Learn how organizations moved beyond AI deployment to orchestration, seamlessly integrating it into their operations.

Download the report.

Q1 2026 report

Q1 2026 executive summary

Q1 2026 sector insights

About the research

The KPMG Global AI Pulse is a quarterly global study capturing the perspectives from 2,145 C-suite and business leaders representing organizations in 20 countries, territories and jurisdictions. The research looks at AI adoption, challenges and impact, providing timely insights to help senior leaders track how AI is evolving across their industries and regions.