Canadian business leaders are confident in their organizations' performance in 2026, despite uncertainties in the global economy created by AI, according to new research released Feb. 26 by IBM.
The report, Canada’s AI Moment: 5 Trends Redefining Business Confidence, Speed and Trust in 2026 examines how companies are integrating AI into decision-making, operations and customer engagement.
While 42% of Canadian executives reported optimism about the global economy, 84% reported confidence in their own organization’s performance this year.
Rob Wilmot, general manager of IBM Consulting Canada, framed the trend as a shift in how companies respond to uncertainty. “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,” he said. “The priority now is to move beyond experimentation and embed AI into core decision-making, operations and client engagement.”
The report identifies five themes shaping Canadian business strategy: rising confidence in AI-driven growth, concern about AI sovereignty, faster real-time decision-making using AI agents, a workforce cautiously adopting AI tools and a growing emphasis on transparency and trust.
AI adoption is already widespread among large organizations. Roughly 86% of Canadian executives report their organizations use agent-based AI systems to improve the speed and quality of decisions. Another 72% report that companies unable to operate in real time risk falling behind competitors.
Researchers also find that many companies are preparing for AI systems capable of acting with greater autonomy. About 68%of Canadian executives expect AI agents to take independent action within their organizations by the end of 2026.
Workplace acceptance remains mixed. About 57% of Canadian employees report AI is already transforming corporate culture and 54% report comfort working alongside AI tools. Only 36 percent report they would feel comfortable being managed by AI systems.
Consumer trust in AI may be a critical factor for companies to consider. Roughly 82% of Canadians reported they would trust a brand less if it intentionally concealed the use of artificial intelligence in its operations.
Wilmot argued transparency will play a decisive role as AI adoption expands. “Trust will be the defining factor in whether organizations succeed with AI,” he said. “Companies that are transparent about how AI is used will build stronger relationships with customers and employees.”
Researchers expect the shift toward AI-driven operating models to accelerate through the decade. Roughly 75% of Canadian executives expect artificial intelligence to contribute significantly to revenue by 2030, while investment in AI is projected to increase by about 147% over the next 4 years.
The research drew on surveys of more than 1,000 senior executives across 20 industries and 8,500 consumers worldwide.
