The adoption of artificial intelligence is entering a new phase, with the focus shifting from experimentation to implementation and business value creation. According to the “CIO Study 2026”, conducted by international management consulting firm Horváth, 75% of Chief Information Officers (CIOs) consider the adoption of AI Agents their top priority for 2026. Optimizing IT strategy (74%) and implementing concrete AI use cases (72%) complete the top three priorities.
For the first time, the CIO agenda is almost entirely dominated by artificial intelligence and its integration into organizational activities. According to the study, the most important priorities for CIOs in 2026 are AI Agent adoption (75%), IT strategy optimization (74%), and AI use-case implementation (72%).
Other priorities include the adoption of new cybersecurity solutions (72%), optimization of IT cost structures (71%), development of cybersecurity standards and measures (69%), and modernization of IT infrastructure (68%).
These findings indicate that organizations no longer view artificial intelligence as an isolated project, but as a central element of digital transformation and future competitiveness.
The study also highlights that organizations have moved beyond the stage of isolated AI experiments. For the most important AI initiatives, a significant number of companies already have projects implemented or underway in 2026, while many others plan to launch them in 2027. Both AI Agent adoption and the implementation of AI use cases and digital strategy optimization are already at an advanced stage of execution, confirming that artificial intelligence is becoming an integral part of operations and business decision-making rather than simply an area for exploration.
At the same time, Horváth’s analysis shows that successful AI implementation does not depend on choosing the most advanced technological solutions. The key differentiator is an organization’s ability to define a clear strategy, build a coherent IT architecture, and integrate AI into business processes and objectives.
The study also shows that organizations are not focused solely on reducing costs, but are adapting their capabilities to the changing requirements of the economy. Automation and artificial intelligence are taking over an increasing number of repetitive tasks, while demand is growing for digital and analytical skills, as well as roles capable of leveraging new technologies within business processes.
“In 2026, access to artificial intelligence will no longer be the differentiating factor. What will matter is an organization’s ability to integrate these technologies into a coherent architecture and into its business processes. AI projects are no longer the sole responsibility of IT departments; they have evolved into tools for organizational transformation. Companies that succeed in connecting strategy, data, processes, and technology will be the ones able to turn AI investments into genuine competitive advantages,” says László Pálházi, Principal at Horváth Romania.
The “CIO 2026. Why AI Is Turning the CIO into a Key Driver of Business Transformation” study surveyed approximately 450 respondents, 85% of whom hold management positions. Participants came from organizations across multiple industries, including IT, financial services, manufacturing, energy, telecommunications, retail, automotive, and the public sector. The companies represented all size categories, ranging from organizations with fewer than 250 employees to corporate groups with more than 10,000 employees.