A new report says chief executive officers of leading global companies are increasingly regarding artificial intelligence (AI), as a dependable enabler of productivity, revenue growth, customer experience and efficiency for 2026.
This is according to the EY-Parthenon 2026 CEO Outlook report released recently.
The report said that sustained transformation will separate leaders from laggards in an uncertain global environment.
EY conducted a survey of 1,200 CEOs from large companies around the world between November and December 2025.
In Nigeria about 93 per cent of companies are adopting AI to drive efficiency while 72 per cent are expecting it to overhaul their workforce strategies.
The survey was to provide valuable insights into the main trends and developments impacting the world’s leading companies as well as business leaders’ expectations for future growth and long-term value creation.
The survey report further highlights that despite the fact that CEOs face continued geopolitical uncertainty and cost pressures they remain confident in driving growth through AI, talent and operational efficiency.
The report says geopolitics and technology are reshaping the global economy and business environment faster than ever.
“Those who invest intentionally, rethink their operating models and use AI and mergers and acquisition (M&A) to accelerate change will create their own tailwinds and outpace competitors long before the environment stabilizes”, the report said.
The 2025 global economy was characterised by several uncertainties including escalating tariffs, protectionism, and trade wars that are disrupting global supply chains and investment decisions.
To navigate this uncertainty, according to the report, CEOs should focus on three priorities: sharper cost discipline through productivity-driving investments such as AI; more precise pricing grounded in customer insight to protect margins; and a faster shift to skills-powered organizations, with teams equipped to scale new technologies and manage geopolitical and macro volatility.
“With global inflation continuing to ease but remaining highly divergent, tariff-imposing economies are expected to see higher import costs and renewed price pressures, while targeted economies will continue to experience demand- and commodity price-driven disinflation”, the report said.
Some of the report findings reveal that CEOs who double down on people and technology while addressing cost and growth pressures head on will be best placed to create their own momentum in a challenging year ahead.
The EY-Parthenon CEO Outlook Survey also points to a decline in global CEO sentiment from 83.0 per cent to 78.5 per cent Quarter‑on‑Quarter, driven by weakening demand, geopolitical instability, and rising operating costs.
Despite these challenges, the report says, nearly 90 per cent of CEOs expect increases in revenue, profitability and productivity, believing they can achieve growth through operational efficiency and strategic investments in talent and technology.
Key findings in the report shows that transformation is a central theme, with 52 per cent of CEOs currently engaged in major initiatives and 45 per cent planning to begin in 2026.
It noted that key priorities include operational optimisation, customer engagement, and product innovation. “Success requires embracing continuous reinvention and agile organisational models, with AI and automation playing crucial roles in enhancing productivity.”
The report further said that 20 per cent of business leaders reported that returns from AI investments have significantly exceeded expectations, this points to AI becoming a core capability that CEOs will need to treat as a multi-year strategic pillar, embedded in workforce planning, capital allocation, and operating model design.
It said while volatility will persist in 2026, many companies believe they have laid the foundations for AI-driven transformation and digital resilience. “Portfolio reshaping, strategic deals and efficient programmes, often powered by AI and automation, are now giving CEOs a stronger baseline to navigate disruption with confidence”, it said.
Commenting on the report, Global Vice Chair EY-Parthenon,
Andrea Guerzoni, said, “2026 is not going to be a year of certainty, and CEOs know this. “The winners will be those who actively rewire their capital allocation, navigate geopolitical complexity and focus on technology-led M&A to fashion flexible, resilient portfolios that are built not only to absorb further potential market shocks, but also to maximize opportunities presented by ongoing market volatility.”
EY Regional Managing Partner for West Africa, Anthony Oputa, believes the global business environment faces myriad challenges ahead that demand even greater discipline, noting that slow and fragile economic growth will compel business leaders globally to make sharper choices about where and how to deploy investments.
According to him, “In terms of AI, broad experimentation is giving way to targeted scaling, identifying the business units where AI can accelerate productivity, transform decision-making, or unlock differentiated customer value. “The key tension for 2026 is balancing short-term cost pressure with long-term competitiveness. For EY as a leading global professional service firm, we will continue to support businesses across the globe to shape the future with confidence.”