IBM – APAC AI Outlook 2026: Transferable Value Across Industries

The report focuses on the transformative journey of artificial intelligence (AI) across various industries in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, highlighting how AI is reshaping industries such as banking, manufacturing, telecommunications, energy, and the public sector by 2026.

Organizations are directing nearly two-thirds of their AI investments into core business areas where AI is rewriting cost structures, reshaping operating models, and redefining customer value. 95% of executives globally expect generative AI to be at least partially self-funded by 2026, indicating AI's shift from an experimental expense to a return-generating engine. AI is moving from back-office functions to strategic roles in the boardroom, driving business reinvention rather than just incremental efficiency. The report is based on conversations with leaders from 17 organizations across key industries and outlines five foundational AI trends shaping the APAC region's direction for 2026. It emphasizes transferable AI value across industries, accelerating AI adoption without reinventing the wheel.