Canadian executives back AI despite global jitters
Canadian business leaders expect a strong 2026 for their own organisations even as confidence in the global economy remains low, according to new research from IBM's Institute for Business Value.
The study sets out five trends that IBM says will shape how Canadian organisations use AI in business operations, leadership and customer relationships during the year. It also includes separate findings on how executives expect AI to influence revenue and workforce needs later in the decade.
IBM reported a gap between internal confidence and external caution. It said 84% of Canadian executives felt confident about their organisation's 2026 performance. It said 42% felt optimistic about the global economy. IBM also said 84% of Canadian respondents believed ongoing economic and geopolitical volatility would create new business opportunities.
Real-time pressure
The research highlights the importance executives place on decision speed. IBM said 72% of Canadian executives warned that organisations that fail to act in real time could fall behind competitors.
It also pointed to widespread use of "agentic AI" in decision-making. IBM said 86% of Canadian executives reported that their organisation already relies on agentic AI for better, faster decision making.
IBM's survey results indicate a move towards more autonomy for software agents. It said 68% of executives anticipate AI agents acting autonomously in 2026. It also said 43% of Canadian executives reported that their organisations already had AI agents taking independent action. IBM compared that with a global figure of 24%.
Sovereignty focus
IBM placed AI sovereignty among the top themes for 2026. It said 92% of Canadian executives believe AI sovereignty must be built into business strategy.
The study also referenced global concerns about concentration risk. IBM said half of executives globally report concern about over-dependence on compute resources in certain regions.
Workforce tension
The research describes a mixed picture in how employees view AI at work. IBM said 57% of Canadian employees reported that AI is transforming corporate culture. It said 54% reported feeling comfortable collaborating with AI.
Support fell when IBM asked about AI in management roles. The company said only 36% of employees in Canada are willing to be managed by AI. IBM put the global average at 48%.
Trust and disclosure
Consumer attitudes featured prominently in IBM's findings. IBM said 82% of Canadian consumers would trust a brand less if it intentionally concealed AI use within organisations. It also said 96% of Canadian executives believe consumer trust in their AI will be critical to the success of new products and services.
"Canadian organizations are entering 2026 with confidence - not because the economy is predictable, but because leaders are betting on AI as a long-term growth engine. The priority now is to move beyond experimentation and embed AI into core decision-making, operations and client engagement in a way that strengthens trust and transparency," said Rob Wilmot, General Manager, IBM Consulting Canada.
IBM also connected its 2026 findings to a separate study on the end of the decade. It said three-quarters of Canadian C-Suite leaders expect AI to significantly contribute to revenue by 2030.
IBM reported expectations of higher spending on AI. It said AI investment is projected to rise by 147% over the next four years.
The research also points to anticipated workforce disruption. IBM said 76% of Canadian leaders expect mindset to matter more than skills by 2030. It said 59% expect many current employee skills to become obsolete by 2030.
Wilmot framed 2026 as an inflection point for competitive positioning. "What we are seeing this year is the early arc of a broader shift. The choices leaders make in 2026 will shape how competitive they are through the end of the decade," said Wilmot.