A new global survey by Protiviti highlights that more than 68% of multinational organizations plan to integrate autonomous or semi-autonomous AI agents into core operations by 2026. Nearly one in four respondents (23%) indicated they are within six months of deploying semi-autonomous AI agents, capable of operating under human supervision with defined guardrails.
The findings come from Protiviti’s AI Pulse Survey series, in the report titled From Automation to Autonomy: The Capabilities and Complexities of AI Agents.
Semi-Autonomous Agents Lead the Charge
While most organizations prefer semi-autonomous agents, about 20% are implementing or plan to use fully autonomous agents within the next year, outpacing longer-term adoption plans. An additional 27% of organizations plan to deploy multi-agent or agentic AI systems within six months, typically in bounded domains to mitigate risk while demonstrating value.
Tom Andreesen, Protiviti AI Leader, explained, “Agentic AI represents the next chapter of corporate transformation. Successful organizations start with semi-autonomous models that build trust and confidence before scaling toward broader autonomy.”
Maturity Levels Dictate Adoption Speed
The survey shows a strong near-term focus on agentic AI adoption:
- Advanced organizations (Stages 4–5) are leading integration, using AI agents for repetitive tasks and scaling for strategic impact.
- Early-stage organizations (Stages 1–2) are still exploring, with 33% targeting integration within 12 months and 28% within 1–2 years.
- About 45% rely on vendor partnerships and open-source ecosystems to build foundational agentic AI capabilities.
Perception Gaps Across Leadership Levels
The survey highlights differences in expectations:
- Among board and C-suite executives, 37% expect semi-autonomous agents and 31% foresee fully autonomous agents.
- Mid-level and operational staff are more cautious, with only 17% anticipating full autonomy—likely due to proximity to operational risk and implementation challenges.
Industry-Specific Priorities
Agentic AI adoption varies by sector:
- Healthcare, technology, and retail focus on real-time insights and data processing.
- Financial services prioritize automating complex decision-making.
- Government and manufacturing & distribution remain more conservative due to regulatory and operational risk concerns.
Patrick Anderson, Protiviti Managing Director, AI, said, “Senior leaders see agentic AI as a catalyst for scale, speed, and competitive advantage. The real work lies in closing the readiness gap—investing in governance, skills, and strategic clarity is key to scaling successfully.”
Survey Methodology
Protiviti gathered approximately 900 global responses from C-suite executives, board members, vice presidents, and director- and manager-level professionals across industries including technology, finance, operations, and compliance. The survey is part of Protiviti’s AI Pulse Survey series, launched in 2025 to track AI adoption, readiness, ROI, and operational challenges across enterprises.
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