Research reveals that 751,300 of Brazilian executives expect AI agents to operate independently by the end of 2026.
The IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV) released the study. “5 Trends for 2026”, The study, which shows how business leaders in Brazil are preparing for a scenario marked by technological disruption, economic volatility, and the need for quick decisions, indicates that agency AI, AI sovereignty, and collaboration with partners will be decisive factors for competitiveness in 2026.
Agentive AI as an engine for transformation.
Agent AI is emerging as one of the main drivers of this transformation, with 65% of Brazilian executives saying that AI agents are helping their organizations make better and faster decisions and reallocate resources to capture opportunities amidst disruption.
Organizations are moving toward operating with AI at their core, with AI agents taking on increasingly autonomous roles integrated into critical processes. In Brazil, 75% of executives expect these agents to operate independently by the end of 2026.
Positive outlook and speed as critical factors.
The study shows that 931% of Brazilian executives have a positive outlook on the future performance of their organizations.
Speed emerges as an essential factor: 82% claim they will lose their competitive advantage if they cannot operate in real time.
AI sovereignty as a strategic priority
Another strategic point is the AI sovereignty That is, an organization's ability to control and govern its AI systems, data, and infrastructure at all times. 85% of the Brazilian leaders interviewed They claim they need to consider AI sovereignty in their business strategies for 2026.
THE consumer confidence It will also be decisive: 95% of Brazilian executives They say that customer trust in their AI will define the success of new products and services.
Meanwhile, some decision-makers recognize the risks of technological concentration, with 56% concerned with the excessive reliance on computing resources in certain regions.
Partner ecosystems accelerate innovation.
The study also shows that partner ecosystems They play a key role in accelerating technology adoption and mitigating risks. Sixty-nine percent of executives in Brazil They say that ecosystem partners help accelerate technology adoption, and 89% They say that they reduce the impact of disruptions. Furthermore..., 78% They claim that the data from these partners improves business results.
Quick decision-making as a competitive advantage
Quick decision-making is another critical factor for competitiveness: 98% executives say they need to make decisions more and more quickly.
“To thrive in 2026, companies need to invest in technologies that offer agility, efficiency, and intelligence to their businesses, understanding that AI needs to be at the heart of their strategy. Now it's possible to rethink how processes, products, and services are delivered in a very different way, creating collaborative environments capable of solving complex problems and generating new competitive advantages,” explains Marcelo Braga, president of IBM Brazil.
The study reinforces that, to gain a competitive advantage, organizations must integrate technology, human talent, and digital governance, strengthen their ecosystems, and prepare to operate with agility in a volatile environment.
Latin America
The study also reveals trends among executives in Latin America: 99% say they need to make decisions ever more quickly; 85% say they will lose their competitive edge if they don't operate in real time; and 95% believe that consumer confidence in their AI will determine the success of new products and services.
“Speed and trust will be the pillars of transformation in the coming years. Organizations that manage to integrate AI, governance, and collaborative ecosystems will be better prepared to seize opportunities and face complex challenges,” says Tonny Martins, president of IBM Latin America.
More information about the study “5 Trends for 2026” is available at [link to study]. site from the IBM Institute for Business Value (IBV).
