Digital transformation and AI: from ambition to execution

Tags Digital transformation and AI

How senior business leaders approach digital transformation technology is reshaping the future of performance, resilience and growth

As digital systems become increasingly complex and interdependent, the transformation of technology, process and culture demands more than ambition; it requires precision, adaptability and clear strategic focus. Explore the forces redefining success in digital transformation and the strategic insights guiding businesses forward.

Strategic ambition meets an AI‑driven digital landscape

According to our C‑suite barometer, business leaders remain focused on growth and confident in their ability to deliver it, yet the conditions for progress are shifting rapidly as AI accelerates change across every sector. Senior executives highlight rising economic uncertainty, intensifying competition and increasing political instability, alongside the transformative impact of AI, as key sources of pressure. In response, two‑thirds of businesses are increasing overall tech investment, consistent with recent years. However, the proportion of leaders who feel very confident about their organisation’s readiness for an AI‑enabled future has dipped. The message is clear: ambition remains high, and with the right support, businesses can turn the current wave of disruption into an opportunity for stronger, more resilient execution.

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AI Impact Hub

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Supercharging transformation through AI

With more C-suite executives confirming the major impact AI is having on their businesses in our 2025 barometer, David Benigson, CEO and Founder of Signal AI, shares his insights on how AI and other emerging technology can supercharge transformational change.

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The ESG impact of AI

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Global private equity report 2026

The Forvis Mazars global private equity outlook 2026 delivers exclusive insights from over 800 private equity professionals across regions, sectors and investment strategies. Explore our global report and insights into how investor priorities are evolving amid changing market conditions.

Digital transformation strategy at the frontier of growth

Behind these investment decisions lies a sharpened focus on technology transformation. This year, 39% of C‑suite leaders identify digital transformation as one of their top strategic priorities, reflecting its growing importance in enabling future growth. Their goals span efficiency, resilience, productivity, security and performance. Encouragingly, many leaders expect technology investment to deliver a return, but the nature of technological transformation itself is changing.

It is no longer a case of standalone upgrades or system replacements. Increasingly, digital capabilities are converging into complex, interdependent systems, ones that behave in unexpected ways and cut across traditional organisational boundaries. Artificial intelligence, cited by 48% of organisations as the top investment within technology transformation strategies, is accelerating this convergence, raising both opportunity and complexity. This is why, despite strong intentions and rising budgets, many efforts involving digital transformation technologies still fall short in practice. The challenge is not just setting direction; it is ensuring execution delivers under real‑world complexity.

80leaders have restructuredteams in the last two years to support AI
74of organisations have a technology transformation strategy
48of organisations state AI as their top investment in tech transformation strategy

C-suite barometer expert insights

Prepare for what’s next

To help businesses close the gap between strategy and delivery, we have curated a set of insights exploring several areas central to effective transformation.

Data strategy - roadmaps to structured data piping as a foundation for transformation
Risk management - shaping compliance into an enabler of innovation
Emerging technologies - how to embed AI into core business operations responsibly

Perspectives designed to help complex organisations navigate digital transformation with greater clarity, control and long-term value.

Contact our experts to drive your digital transformation journey.

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Chart your secure cyber path

Cyber security insights to strengthen resilience, drive growth and prepare for what’s next

29 Jan 2026

C-suite barometer: outlook 2026

Our latest study uncovers a business world embracing change, investing in technology and people, and reimagining strategies to stay ahead of disruption and competition. Success now rests on adaptability as much as ambition.