Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming a game-changer for businesses worldwide, with organizations increasingly integrating AI solutions to streamline operations, improve customer experiences, and make more informed decisions. Metrigy’s latest AI for Business Success: 2025-26 research sheds light on the current state of AI adoption, emerging trends, and the challenges companies are facing as they navigate this evolving landscape.
A key trend identified in the study is the growing interest in “agentics,” a term that refers to AI capable of adaptive decision-making. While only about half (52%) of businesses are familiar with the term, it’s clear that agentic AI is becoming an area of increasing interest. However, many companies are still more comfortable with traditional, task-specific AI applications, which are often used for specific functions rather than making complex decisions. In fact, 64.5% of businesses still find more value in AI that handles functional, task-oriented prompts, as opposed to using agentic AI to make adaptive decisions. While agentic AI is recognized for its potential, businesses seem to be taking a more cautious approach, preferring to first use AI for specific tasks before fully embracing its more dynamic capabilities.
Interestingly, most companies are not planning to rip and replace their existing AI systems but instead look to complement them with agentic agents. A substantial 72.9% of organizations intend to use these new AI agents alongside their current tools and assistants, building on their existing AI infrastructure. This hybrid approach reflects a preference for gradually enhancing capabilities, rather than overhauling systems entirely. The most promising applications of agentic AI, according to the study, are in IT and customer service—two areas that are ripe for improvement through AI. In IT, agentic AI could assist with managing infrastructure or security, while in customer service, it could provide more personalized and efficient support to customers, ultimately improving the overall experience.
Generative AI, another major topic of focus, is being hailed as a “game changer” by 48.5% of companies. The ability of generative AI to create content, automate processes, and offer advanced decision-making support is accelerating AI deployment across industries. However, with this new power comes new risks. Data privacy remains a top concern for many businesses, with 45.6% of respondents identifying it as their biggest challenge when adopting AI technologies. The collection and processing of vast amounts of data can expose sensitive information, so businesses are prioritizing robust privacy measures to protect customer trust and ensure compliance with regulations.
To address the challenges and maximize the benefits of AI, many companies are focusing on training their employees in the proper use of AI tools. In fact, 74% of the Research Success Group ensures their employees are educated on the responsible use of Large Language Models (LLMs) to safeguard intellectual property. With 60% of companies using two or three LLMs, businesses are increasingly relying on multiple platforms to meet their needs. When selecting LLMs, speed of response and data privacy are the top criteria, highlighting the importance of efficiency and security in today’s fast-paced business environment. Microsoft, Google, and OpenAI are the dominant platforms in use, with Google emerging as the preferred choice for the Research Success Group.
Looking ahead, businesses are also preparing for a future where AI assistants will play an even larger role in daily operations. By the end of 2025, nearly half of companies (48.7%) expect AI assistants to be able to make calls on behalf of a human, marking a significant step toward more autonomous AI systems. The concept of AI master agents is also gaining traction. These advanced AI systems will manage and assign tasks to sub-agents, allowing for more sophisticated and coordinated AI deployments within organizations. By the end of 2025, 32.6% of companies plan to use AI master agents, with that number expected to grow to 34.4% by the end of 2026.
As businesses continue to explore and adopt AI technologies, the landscape will likely continue to evolve. While many are still in the early stages of integrating agentic AI and generative models, the promise of more intelligent, adaptive systems is clear. The shift toward complementing existing AI tools with more dynamic solutions, combined with the focus on employee training and data privacy, will set the stage for more effective and responsible AI deployments in the coming years. With rapid advancements in AI technology, businesses that remain agile and forward-thinking will be well-positioned to lead in the next era of AI-driven success.
