Capgemini Calls 2026 the “Year of Truth” for AI Integration

Capgemini, a global leader in consulting, technology, and digital transformation, emphasizes that tech and retail leaders must move past experimentation with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and achieve deep, profitable integration, executives say. The shift from innovation to strategic implementation defines what Capgemini calls the “Year of Truth for AI” in 2026.

From Proof of Concept to Measurable ROI
Large corporations with decades of established processes have historically adopted new technology slowly. The challenge of agentic AI is not technical but procedural. “Previously, technology was part of the process, or the process leveraged technology. Now it forces us to rethink the process,” noted Daniel Zavalza, CTO, Capgemini.

Pressure to improve operational efficiency and stock performance is accelerating adoption. ROI for AI, depending on implementation and use case, averages 42%, with payback in just one to two years, Capgemini reports. “The board, especially at publicly traded companies, is focused on operational spending. When it affects stock price, action follows,” Zavalza added.

AI has shifted from an R&D expense to a financial imperative with measurable impact on the bottom line. Generative AI can initially boost employee productivity by 30–35%, but Capgemini warns that the greatest value comes from strategic reallocation of time, not mere optimization.

Human-AI Collaboration and Customer Experience
In e-commerce and financial services, competition now hinges on experience rather than product features. Capgemini introduces Cloud 3.0, the next era of cloud computing focused on intelligence, automation, and digital sovereignty. Leaders must make holistic decisions around workloads, data control, and architecture—a challenge Capgemini calls the “paradox of technological sovereignty”, explained Martha Gonzalez, COO, Capgemini.

The rise of AI coincides with a surge in cyberattacks. In Mexico, cyberattack attempts have tripled, reaching 35 billion globally, according to Capgemini. Organizations must shift from reactive security to resilient, proactive strategies.

“Waiting for an attack to implement technology is no longer viable. We must anticipate threats and integrate proactive automation,” Zavalza said. A firm’s choice of single-cloud or multi-cloud strategy directly impacts its technological sovereignty, particularly critical in regulated industries like fintech.

Agentic AI: The Invisible Disruptor in E-Commerce
Agentic AI is emerging as a key disruptor, automating purchasing decisions with minimal user intervention. For example, AI agents connected to home inventories can reorder products automatically, enhancing loyalty and convenience.

“The phenomenon of Agentic AI eliminates friction and creates new business opportunities. On the consumer side, transactions that previously required effort now happen effortlessly,” said Alonso Yañez, Consumer Goods and Retail Leader, Capgemini.

Retailers like Walmart, already integrating OpenAI to manage 15% of online purchases in the United States, exemplify how AI is becoming the primary search and transaction engine.