PwC pointed out in a research report that US business professionals have responded to a year of policy shifts, economic volatility, and technological disruption by pursuing an average of nearly four major strategic initiatives since early 2025. PwC’s April 2026 Executive Views on Policy, Risk, and Growth survey has also highlighted some other key AI developments impacting the workforce and professional services environment.
Among the 633 executives polled—including CEOs, CFOs, and technology and risk leaders—73 percent focused on at least one of the three most common actions: increasing investment in artificial intelligence (38 percent), strengthening risk management (36 percent), and adjusting trade strategies (35 percent).
AI investment stood out as a clear frontrunner, reflecting widespread recognition that advanced technologies are essential for maintaining competitiveness.
Respondents from financial services (24 percent of the sample) and technology, media, and telecommunications (18 percent) were well represented, underscoring the relevance for fintech and tech-heavy sectors.
Yet industry professionals remain realistic about timelines: 81 percent indicated they are at least a year away from realizing meaningful returns from AI beyond basic efficiency improvements.
This executive-level push mirrors broader industry momentum documented across independent analyses.
KPMG’s Pulse of Fintech report for 2025 revealed that global investment in AI-driven fintech companies climbed from $12.1 billion to $16.8 billion year-over-year, with deal volume rising from 1,183 to 1,334.
Corporate investors showed particular enthusiasm for AI solutions targeting operational efficiencies, cost reduction, and process optimization—often preferring direct partnerships with major technology providers rather than standalone startups.
Overall fintech funding rebounded to $116 billion, with AI and digital assets emerging as dominant themes fueling investor confidence and exit activity.
Deloitte’s State of AI in the Enterprise 2026 report further highlights the payoff.
Worker access to AI tools surged 50 percent in 2025, and two-thirds of organizations reported measurable gains in productivity and efficiency—the top benefit cited.
The share of leaders describing AI’s impact as “transformative” doubled from the prior year, while 84 percent of enterprises planned to increase AI budgets.
In financial services specifically, firms are deploying AI agents for tasks ranging from compliance automation to personalized customer workflows.
EY’s US AI Pulse Survey echoed these findings, noting that 96 percent of organizations investing in AI experienced productivity improvements, with 57 percent describing them as significant.
Rather than using these gains to cut headcount, most professionals reinvested in further AI capabilities, R&D, cybersecurity, and employee reskilling. Planned AI spending as a share of IT budgets is projected to nearly double next year.
McKinsey’s State of AI survey similarly documented high adoption rates, with AI contributing to revenue growth in areas like sales and supply-chain optimization while lowering costs in HR and IT functions.
Larger firms—those with revenues exceeding $5 billion—were far more likely to have scaled AI programs enterprise-wide.
PwC Principal Michelle Horton described the new reality where it now appears that virtually every competitor is investing substantially in AI, risk management, and trade adjustments, these moves become baseline requirements rather than differentiators. Sustainable advantage now hinges on superior execution, faster decision-making, and the ability to translate AI insights into more tangible business outcomes.
