91 percent of business leaders across Europe expect revenue growth in 2026, amid accelerating investment in artificial intelligence, according to new Accenture research published in the Pulse of Change report, ahead of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.
According to the study, European executives are entering 2026 with a high level of optimism, even as 82 percent anticipate a greater degree of change across economic, geopolitical, technological and social dimensions. At the same time, confidence in revenue growth in domestic markets has reached 91 percent, up five percentage points compared with the previous edition of the survey. The most significant increases were recorded in France (+22 percentage points), the Netherlands (+17 percentage points) and the UK (+5 percentage points).
Artificial intelligence remains a major strategic priority for European organizations. 84 percent plan to increase their AI investments in 2026, with the strongest optimism seen in Ireland (94 percent), Italy (92 percent) and Germany (87 percent). In addition, 80 percent of European leaders believe AI will deliver greater value through revenue growth rather than cost reduction, signaling a growing level of maturity in how technology is being applied.
“The latest Pulse of Change report confirms what we are hearing from clients across Europe: the momentum behind AI investment is strong and accelerating,” said Mauro Macchi, Accenture CEO for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “However, the research also sends a clear warning—unless we bring our people along on this journey, the full value of AI will remain out of reach. This is not only about technical skills, but also about mindset and organizational culture. The real divide is not between those who are skilled and those who are not, but between those who are using AI and those who are isolated from it.”
At the same time, the research highlights a widening gap between the perceptions of senior leadership teams and those of employees when it comes to AI readiness. While 84 percent of European executive leaders express confidence in AI’s potential to deliver significant business impact, only 61 percent of employees say their direct experience with AI has reinforced that belief.
The gap is even more pronounced at the operational level. Only one in four employees (25 percent) say they can use AI tools confidently in their day-to-day work. This points not only to a skills gap, but also to the need for more consistent communication, broader access to appropriate tools, and sustained organizational support to enable effective AI adoption at scale.
In addition, just 14 percent of employees strongly agree that leaders have clearly communicated how AI will affect the workforce, including changes to roles and required skills. While 95 percent of European leaders believe their workforce has the foundational training needed to use AI effectively, only 46 percent of employees share that view.