KPMG report advises tech leaders to concentrate on returns as AI adoption picks up speed

A recent global report from the professional services firm KPMG calls on technology leaders to emphasize value and return on investment (ROI) as the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) accelerates, alongside the swift emergence of other advanced technologies in African and global markets.

The KPMG Global Tech Report 2026, titled “Leading in the Intelligence Age: Excelling today, shaping tomorrow,” highlights that although the adoption of AI is rapidly increasing, numerous organisations are facing challenges in transforming experimentation into consistent and measurable business value.

KPMG, a worldwide network of professional services firms offering audit, tax, and advisory services, states that the rapid pace of technological disruption is compelling leaders to reconsider their approaches to planning, measuring, and managing technology investments.

The report draws on a survey conducted with 2,500 technology executives from 27 countries and eight key industries, such as financial services, healthcare, government, manufacturing, and technology. Significantly, 43 percent of respondents were sourced from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA), highlighting the report’s importance to African economies experiencing swift digital transformation.

KPMG emphasizes that to thrive in the “Intelligence Age,” technology leaders need to transform their approach to measuring value, revise ROI metrics to capture AI-driven advantages, and foster cultures that embrace ongoing change. The firm cautions that without this shift, merely adopting changes quickly will not ensure significant or lasting returns.

The report states that “disruption isn’t slowing down – it’s accelerating,” as AI, agentic systems, quantum computing, and other next-generation technologies are transforming the way businesses function.

Rapid AI adoption is transitioning from pilots to business operations; however, consistent profit continues to be limited.

As organizations strive to implement AI tools, the report emphasizes that ambition should be matched with careful execution.

A significant finding is the swift transition from pilot projects to operational impact. KPMG data indicates that 88 percent of organizations are currently investing in or integrating agentic AI—autonomous digital agents that have the potential to transform workflows and decision-making within their operations, products, and value streams.

Moreover, 74 percent indicate that their AI initiatives are yielding quantifiable business value, such as improvements in efficiency and reductions in risk.

Yet, underneath these encouraging signs exists a significant execution gap. Only 24 percent of organizations report achieving ROI across various AI use cases, even though 68 percent aspire to attain the highest level of AI maturity by the end of 2026. At present, only 24 percent are functioning at that level.

“Adoption is swift, yet returns fluctuate significantly, influenced by elements such as careful governance, execution discipline, and organizational agility,” stated Guy Holland, Global Leader of KPMG’s CIO Center of Excellence.

The report highlights that high-performing organizations, characterized by advanced technology maturity and the capacity to provide consistent digital value, achieve an average ROI of 4.5 times their investment, which is more than double the industry average of 2 times. Smaller firms attain an average ROI of 3.6x, whereas organisations focused on transformation report returns of 3.2x.

KPMG noted that these findings offer both opportunities and caution for African businesses, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Fewer legacy systems and tighter resource constraints present an opportunity for structured scaling, bolstered by robust governance and skills development, to create a notable competitive advantage.

Marshal Luusa, Partner and Technology & Innovation Lead at KPMG One Africa, stated that the success of the continent in the Intelligence Age will rely more on the effective management of tools rather than mere access to them.

“As Africa enters the Intelligence Age, the key factor is no longer access to technology, but rather the capacity to develop the skills, governance, and operational frameworks necessary for responsible scaling,” he stated.

He emphasized that organizations need to synchronize leadership, workforce preparedness, and digital strategy to convert innovation into lasting impact.

“Those who invest early in digital skills, human-AI collaboration, and adaptive leadership will be optimally positioned to convert innovation into lasting commercial and economic impact,” Luusa observed.

Transformation of the workforce and gaps in capabilities

The report additionally emphasizes a transforming workforce model influenced by AI. High-performing organisations anticipate that approximately fifty percent of their technology teams will consist of permanent human staff by 2027, indicating a future in which small, resilient human cores will manage extensive AI-enhanced ecosystems. Overall, organizations anticipate that 42 percent of their tech workforce will continue to be permanent staff, reflecting only a slight decrease from current levels.

However, talent shortages continue to pose a significant obstacle. The report indicates that 53 percent of organizations do not possess the digital skills necessary to fully achieve their transformation goals. Moreover, 92 percent expect that overseeing AI agents will emerge as an essential skill in the next five years.

“Strategy and execution must align with a steadfast emphasis on ROI,” the report notes, cautioning that static planning models are losing relevance in a swiftly changing digital landscape.

Exploring the landscape of emerging disruptive technologies

KPMG warns that even more disruptive technologies are on the horizon, beyond just AI. The report highlights agentic AI, quantum computing, Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), and Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) as advancements that could significantly transform business models, cybersecurity frameworks, and data governance standards.

“One eye must always remain fixed on what is coming next,” the report states, highlighting that quantum computing, despite its immense processing power, will necessitate enhanced cybersecurity and data resilience.

Simultaneously, 90 per cent of organisations intend to broaden their partnerships and technology ecosystems in the coming year to enhance innovation, while 78 per cent concur that they need to embrace more calculated risks with emerging technologies to stay competitive.

KPMG emphasizes that staying aligned with these advancements will necessitate ongoing education, refreshed governance frameworks, and sustained investment in skills, with value creation—rather than simple adoption—serving as the key measure of success in the Intelligence Age.