KPMG Survey: AI Agents Move from Pilots to Production Across Industries as Leaders Make Recession-Proof Investments and Reimagine Talent Strategies

Kevin Bogle, KPMG US Advisory Leader, Technology, Media & Telecommunications, said: “For the TMT sector, AI is not just a tool for optimization; it's a core product and shaping the next frontier. Our findings show that while the TMT industry is leading the charge in innovation, it is also grappling most intensely with the dual challenge of securing these powerful new technologies and winning the fierce war for AI talent. Success will be defined not only by who builds the best AI, but also by who builds the most trusted and secure AI.”   

Chad Seiler, KPMG US Line of Business Leader, Technology, Media & Telecommunications, said: "Tech built the AI economy for the world. Now comes the test of whether we can transform our own enterprises with it. The technology is proven, agents are in production, and investment isn't slowing, but there's a widening gap between organizations running pilots and those that industrialize transformation. The barrier isn't compute or capability anymore. It's whether leadership can govern systems that operate autonomously, evolve talent faster than the technology moves, and architect trust at the scale these systems demand. 2026 is when conviction has to become execution." 

• Over a third of TMT organizations (36%) are deploying AI agents in their organization. In addition, over half (60%) are piloting AI agents in their organization.
• 62% expect to achieve measurable ROI within the next 12 months.
• 74% say that AI will continue to be a top investment priority, even if a recession occurs in the next 12 months.
• TMT respondents plan to invest an average of $156 million in AI over the next 12 months, $32 million more than the broader findings.
• TMT leaders are willing to pay more for AI skills: 66% would pay 6-10% more & 25% would pay 11-15% more.
  • 87% say that AI agents have changed their approach to entry-level hiring.
  • 64% are most focused on finding adaptability and continuous learning in entry-level employees as a result of AI agents, on par with the broader findings.
  • In the next 2-3 years, 55% TMT leaders say AI agents will take lead roles in managing specific projects with human team members, and 23% say that humans will primarily manage and direct AI agents.
• Top deployment challenges: Agentic system complexity (62%) and workforce resistance to change (45%) are top of the list. Workforce resistance to change is 13 percentage points higher than the broader survey.

Chris Long, KPMG US Advisory Leader, Financial Services, said: “Financial Services is moving past the 'if' of AI and is now focused on the 'how.' The industry recognizes AI as a core strategic driver, but in a sector built on trust, the pace of innovation is fundamentally tethered to our ability to manage risk, govern data, and ensure security. The real competitive advantage will come from deploying AI responsibly and sustainably, not just quickly.”

Peter Torrente, KPMG US Sector Leader, Banking & Capital Markets, said: “Banks are signaling that AI is not a discretionary spend—it’s a strategic imperative. In an industry where trust is at the cornerstone, banks are channeling significant resources into risk and compliance, recognizing that innovation without protection is not sustainable in a market where challenges evolve as fast as technology.”  

• 40% of banking leaders are deploying AI agents in their organizations, 14 points higher than the cross-industry findings.
  • 84% say they will continue investing regardless of their ability to measure immediate ROI—25 percentage points higher than the broader findings. 
• 80% say AI will continue to be a top investment priority even if a recession hits, 13 percentage points higher than the broader findings. 
• Banks are willing to pay more for AI skilled talent:  
  • 56% would pay 6–10% more, 
  • 36% would pay 11–15% more—14 percentage points higher than the broader findings. 
• 58% agree that new AI natives are already beginning to earn clients and take market share in the banking industry, 18 percentage points lower than the broader findings. 
• 84% say AI agents have changed their entry level hiring approach, 20 percentage points higher than the broader findings. 
• 70% say they've changed experienced hire practices—29 points higher than the broader findings. 
• 69% of AI budgets go to Risk and Compliance—11 percentage points higher than the broader findings. 

Carole Streicher, KPMG US Advisory Leader, Private Equity & Asset Management, said: "For the investment community, AI is the new arms race for alpha. While operational efficiency is a clear win, the most sophisticated firms are deploying AI to revolutionize deal sourcing and due diligence, transforming proprietary data into a powerful predictive asset. In this landscape, the ability to harness AI is quickly becoming synonymous with the ability to outperform." 

Dave Neuenhaus, KPMG US Line of Business Leader, Asset Management & Private Equity, said: "Asset managers and private equity firms are approaching AI the way they approach any investment: with discipline and an eye on returns. They're deploying agents, building AI talent pipelines, and committing capital even through uncertainty, but the mandate is clear: demonstrate value. Boards want measurable ROI, macroeconomic pressure is real, and firms need to do more with less. The leaders in 2026 won't necessarily be the most ambitious. They'll be the most deliberate: partnering with trusted providers, managing risk at scale, and proving that AI translates into operational efficiency and investor confidence."

• Asset Management and PE leaders plan for their organizations to invest, on average, $101M in AI over the next 12 months. Moreover, 78% of leaders expect AI to continue to be a top investment priority for their organization, even if a recession occurs in the next 12 months.
• Within the next 12 months, 41% of AM and PE leaders are expecting measurable ROI. Of note, over half (53%) of AI and PE leaders expect their organization to achieve measurable ROI within the next 12-24 months.
• The majority of asset management and PE leaders are piloting AI agents (68%). In addition, close to a quarter (24%) are already deploying AI agents in their organization.
• In terms of risk mitigation measures that organizations are putting in place when it comes to AI agents in the next 6-12 months, 76% of Asset management and PE leaders said they are looking to deploy AI agents developed by trusted tech providers.
• 70% of asset managers are willing to pay between 6-10% more for candidates who demonstrate strong AI skills. In addition, over the next 12 months, half of them are investing between $5-9.9M to hire new talent (e.g. developers, responsible AI experts, etc.).
• Looking ahead to the next 6 months, asset management and PE leaders listed the following concerns as the top 3 factors to influence AI strategy:
  • 69% - Macroeconomic factors (GDP growth, inflation, tariffs, etc.)
  • 68% - Pressures to demonstrate value to investors or board
  • 55% - Businesses need to reduce costs and improve efficiency