Looking Back at 2025 AI Trends
If 2025 taught us anything, it’s that excitement doesn’t always equal outcomes. We have witnessed many organizations investing in generative AI pilots across many verticals such as finance, HR, procurement, supply chain, etc. Yet, many workflows still looked the same. Teams were still stitching together spreadsheets, logging into multiple systems, and chasing approvals. The impact was real, but not transformational.
This is where the shift in 2026 will feel different. Amongst the most significant AI trends, we’re no longer just experimenting with AI. We’re beginning to embed it into the very fabric of enterprise workflows. And when you step back and look at the business impact, it’s no longer just about efficiency. It’s about how workflows themselves can become direct contributors to revenue growth and resilience.
How is AI transforming workflows from automation to intelligence?
Traditional automation gave us speed. Agentic AI is giving us adaptability. Instead of static rules, we now have finance agents that can manage end-to-end invoicing, HR assistants that can personalize onboarding at scale, and procurement agents that can flag risks before they become costly.
This transformation in AI automation is vital for the business as it’s not just about the cost take out. These intelligent workflows shorten cycle times, accelerate revenue recognition, and free up teams’ time to focus more on customer growth and innovation.
Is AI in workflows becoming conscious?
There’s a provocative question I hear more often in leadership discussions: Is AI becoming conscious?
While science will debate awareness, what matters in the enterprise is that our workflows are starting to behave as if they have judgment.
When an AI decides to delay a vendor payment to protect cash flow, or reroutes a supply chain to avoid risk, it’s influencing outcomes in ways that used to require human managers. For us as leaders, that raises two imperatives:
- Build governance that ensures trust.
- Recognize that these “conscious-like” workflows are no longer just support functions, they’re becoming value creators.
How do vertical workflows create real business impact?
Generic AI only gets you so far. The real value shows up when AI is tuned to the specifics of an industry:
- In banking, AI-driven KYC checks reduce fraud and protect revenue.
- In healthcare, triage and claims automation accelerate reimbursements.
- In manufacturing, predictive maintenance keeps production lines running and orders fulfilled.
These are not just efficiency plays. They are revenue protectors and growth accelerators, designed to speak the language of each business.
Did you try integration without the disruption?
One thing I’ve learned: transformation in large organizations rarely happens overnight. Legacy modernization is a long road. What we’re seeing instead is a two-speed strategy—AI copilots and overlays driving results today, while core systems gradually move to AI-native platforms.
It’s a practical approach. You don’t wait years for benefits. You start creating value now, while building the foundation for scalable growth.
Why is governance critical for scaling AI in enterprise workflows?
With AI shaping workflows in finance, HR, and operations, governance can no longer be an afterthought. Boards and regulators expect explainability, auditability, and compliance by design.
Interestingly, governance is turning into a growth enabler. It builds confidence for leaders to scale AI responsibly—knowing that speed won’t come at the cost of trust or reputation.
The Leadership Lens on AI trends 2026
For me, the real story here is simple: AI is moving workflows from the back office to the front line of revenue.
- It accelerates how fast we can recognize revenue.
- It opens up new opportunities through insights we didn’t see before.
- It protects margins by reducing leakage and risk.
- It deepens customer relationships through personalized, intelligent engagement.
That’s why the narrative must evolve. AI in enterprise workflows is not just about automation anymore—it’s about shaping the revenue engine of the enterprise.
Closing Reflection
As leaders, we are accountable for more than just adopting technology. We are accountable for how it changes the business. In 2026, the question I ask myself is no longer “Where can AI save us cost?” but “How can AI-driven workflows help us grow, compete, and lead responsibly?”
The enterprises that answer this with clarity and conviction won’t just keep up with the AI wave—they’ll set the pace.
