2026: The Year Enterprises Finally Get Value from AI?
Artificial Intelligence
Enterprise Software
AI Startups
Tech Investment
Data Moats
LLMs
Tech Trends 2026
8
Pragmatic Progress
Media Hype
4/10
Real Impact
8/10
What is the Viqus Verdict?
We evaluate each news story based on its real impact versus its media hype to offer a clear and objective perspective.
AI Analysis:
The news significantly reduces the inflated hype surrounding AI in enterprise, grounding expectations in a more realistic assessment of implementation challenges and the need for strategic moats. While still impactful, the reduction in hype allows for a more focused investment strategy.
Article Summary
Following three years of inflated expectations surrounding AI's impact on enterprise software, a consensus is emerging that 2026 will represent a significant shift. Expert surveys reveal a move away from experimental, broad AI deployments towards more targeted, strategically integrated solutions. The key seems to be moving beyond simply ‘playing’ with LLMs and instead focusing on building defensible moats – often centered around data, deep industry expertise, and well-defined workflows. Several VCs highlighted the importance of ‘thoughtful engagement’ and prioritizing a limited number of solutions. Concerns about ‘chaos’ from running dozens of experimental AI projects are pushing businesses to focus on integration and sustainable value creation. Experts predict a rise in companies building moats around proprietary data, enhanced understanding of complex operational environments (like manufacturing or healthcare), and the ability to transform existing data into actionable intelligence, instead of building entirely new systems. The future of AI in enterprise hinges on delivering measurable, tangible benefits within established business processes, rather than chasing the latest technological trend.Key Points
- Enterprises are moving away from experimental AI deployments towards strategic integration within established workflows.
- Defensible moats – particularly those based on data and deep industry expertise – will be crucial for sustainable AI value.
- Focus will shift towards measurable, tangible benefits within existing business processes, rather than simply adopting new AI technologies.