Managed services recognized as strategic engine for AI acceleration

Key findings

• More than 90 percent of executives view managed services as essential for agentic AI delivery
• Eighty-seven percent of respondents have already woven managed services directly into their plans for digital transformation
• Leaders cite AI capability as their top consideration in managed services, followed by overall tech proficiency, data expertise, and a strategic transformation mindset
• Fifty-six percent of buyers cite AI management as their top priority for managed services investment over the next two years, followed by cybersecurity at 33 percent
• Managed services is now a strategic priority for 99 percent of organizations, with two‑thirds expecting the model to drive major operating, business, and strategic impact within 24 months

7 April 2026 — In the race for agentic artificial intelligence (AI), companies have discovered a new shortcut: managed services. More than 90 percent of executives now view this model as an essential engine for agentic AI delivery, helping companies leapfrog the technical debt and talent gaps that often stall AI investment.

That’s according to the global KPMG Managed Services Outlook Survey 2026, with research and analysis by IDC, which explores the use of managed services by 1,200-plus senior leaders.

The survey finds that managed services are not on the sidelines; they are a key part of companies’ AI strategy. Eighty-seven percent of respondents have woven managed services directly into their plans for digital transformation. Accordingly, leaders cite AI capability as their top consideration in managed services, followed closely by overall tech proficiency, data expertise, and a strategic transformation mindset.

Furthermore, over half (56 percent) of buyers cite AI management as their top priority for managed services investment over the next two years. This is followed by cybersecurity at 33 percent; both of which are intertwined as business leaders emphasize the need for AI, while security teams manage the cyber risk that can impede digital transformation.

The use of managed services as an AI accelerator reflects a shifting view of the model. While organizations continue to use as-a-service solutions to reduce operational costs, the survey finds that technology innovation is where managed services will drive the greatest transformational impact, both today and in the future. It can provide a shortcut through AI capability gaps — allowing organizations to advance even when internal organizational foundations are incomplete. By leveraging external expertise, it allows businesses to accelerate progress across multiple capability domains such as risk and governance, talent, technology enablement, data readiness and model deployment.

For example, rather than building AI platforms from scratch, or orchestrate fragmented tools, organizations increasingly use managed services to embed AI agents into core operations. These agents perform functions such as cybersecurity, IT diagnostics and coding, or regulatory reporting.

Companies increasingly approach AI-enabled managed services as a way to build nimble, flexible business functions that can pivot at the speed of the market, while driving strategic priorities such as growth, operational resilience, and agility. Indeed, the survey shows the model is now a strategic priority for 99 percent of organizations, with two‑thirds expecting managed services to drive major operating, business, and strategic impact within 24 months.

Dannielle McAllister
Global Media Relations Manager, KPMG International

T: +44 7704 675 753
E: dannielle.mcallister@kpmg.co.uk

The KPMG Managed Services Outlook 2026 is based on a survey of 1,224 business leaders and in-depth interviews with 10. The respondents are from large, global organizations across numerous sectors in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. The majority of participating companies report annual revenues of US$1-10 billion.

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