97% of large companies have funding available; only 18% have fully implemented Agency AI, as data quality and access are at the top of the list of barriers.
THE Qlik®, A global leader in data integration, data quality, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI)., The Qlik 2025 Agentic AI Study analyzes how large companies are planning, funding, and operationalizing agentic AI. The research, commissioned from Enterprise Technology Research (ETR), demonstrated a strong commitment to agentic AI, coupled with clear execution gaps. Nearly all respondents have already committed budget, but most say it will take years to operationalize at scale, with data quality and the integration of agentic AI initiatives with existing systems cited as the main obstacles.
“Companies aren’t lacking in ambition or funding. What they lack are the databases and analytics that allow agents to work across the enterprise with reliability and control,” says James Fisher, Chief Strategy Officer at Qlik. “If you want Agency AI to make a difference in 2026, invest first in reliable pipelines, interoperability, and a practical return on investment (ROI) framework that your board believes in.”
The main findings are:
– The money is available: 97% have already committed budget to Agency AI, with 39% planning to spend US$$ 1 million or more, and 34% allocating from 10% to 25% of their AI budget. This is now a specific item considered in the budget, which creates expectations for visible results in 2026.
– The strategy is maturing, but value measurement is lagging behind. 69% report a formal AI strategy, compared to 37% in 2024, but only 19% have a defined ROI framework. The governance narrative is shifting from “we should do this” to “what will we get out of it”.
– Large-scale use will take time. Only 18% have fully implemented Agency AI, and 46% say scaling will take three to five years, with only 42% confident in their internal expertise. 2026 appears to be a building phase, not a phase of widespread implementation.
– Data is the bottleneck: Quality, availability, and access to data top the list of barriers, followed by integration, skills, and governance. The constraint is the corporate structure, more so than the power of the model.
– The risk lies at the implementation stage: The main concerns are cybersecurity and the reliability of output ...and legal exposure, with explainability and auditability close behind. Risk leaders will set the pace and supplier selection.
– Where the agents arrive first: IT operations and software development are the most targeted areas, with cost reduction as the main objective and productivity as the primary metric. The first gains are concentrated where telemetry and baselines already exist.
Agency AI has overcome budget constraints and is now integrated into operational plans for 2026. The initial action is pragmatic: respondents point to IT operations and software development as pioneers, where results and telemetry are clearest. The obstacle to scaling is less attributable to the model's capabilities and more related to the challenge of integrating governed, high-quality data into existing workflows and connecting systems without adding risk. Until that happens, many programs will remain pilots and trials, rather than fully operational.
“As spending moves from experimentation to fixed budget lines, the constraints are the classic enterprise ones: data quality, integration, governance, and talent,” says Erik Bradley, Chief Strategist at Enterprise Technology Research (ETR). “Our data shows broad intent, but only a minority are ready to scale. The coming year will be about transforming narrowly scoped use cases in IT operations and software engineering into durable and measurable production.”
About the Qlik Agency AI Study 2025
The “AI Agentic Study,” conducted in August 2025 by Enterprise Technology Research (ETR) on behalf of Qlik, surveyed over 200 enterprise technology decision-makers across various sectors. This is the third annual AI study commissioned by Qlik from ETR.
Regarding the Qlik
THE Qlik Qlik transforms complex data landscapes into actionable insights, driving strategic business outcomes. Serving more than 40,000 global customers, the Qlik portfolio provides advanced enterprise-grade AI/ML, data integration, and analytics. Qlik’s practical and scalable AI/ML tools drive faster, better decisions. Qlik is the leader in data integration and governance, offering end-to-end solutions that work with diverse data sources. Qlik’s intuitive analytics uncover hidden patterns, empowering teams to tackle complex challenges and seize new opportunities. Qlik is a strategic partner, and its expertise and technology-agnostic platform make its customers more competitive. For more information, visit www.qlik.com/pt-br.
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