Summary

McKinsey & Company examined global technology priorities for 2026 and found a clear strengthening of IT’s strategic role within organizations. Based on a survey of 632 executives across 69 countries and 24 industries, nearly two-thirds of technology leaders in companies delivering sustained revenue and operating profit growth (≥10% annually over the past three years) are actively involved in shaping corporate strategy. Artificial intelligence has emerged as the top investment priority: 50% of all surveyed companies identified AI as a strategic focus, rising to 54% among high-growth firms. Nearly 30% of these fast-growing companies plan to increase technology budgets by more than 10% in 2026 (compared with about 3% among other companies). The primary barriers to scaling AI remain talent shortages and the complexity of integrating AI solutions into existing business processes.