Every week brings a new headline, a breakthrough, or a new set of promises about what’s possible with agentic AI. Soon, we’ll be surrounded by AI agents embedded in the applications we use, the services we rely on, and the workflows we depend on to get work done. With so much happening all at once, it helps to pause, take stock, and look ahead.
6 agentic AI trends to watch in 2026
In our latest report, we provide a detailed examination of six major trends that are shaping the agentic AI landscape in the coming year. Here, we’ll glance at the most significant findings and explore what they reveal about which organizations are best positioned to succeed as these changes take hold.
1. Automation is shifting from static workflows to dynamic networks
For years, automation has largely meant predictable, rules-based processes, like basic machine learning models trained on specific tasks. Agentic AI changes that.
Instead of rigid workflows, we’re seeing dynamic networks of agents that can collaborate, make decisions, and adapt on the fly. This means processes no longer need constant human oversight; AI agents can increasingly take initiative and resolve issues independently.
The opportunity is huge, but many organizations are not yet there. Nearly a quarter are still developing automation strategies, and about 10% are only just beginning to plan. The challenge lies in scaling these efforts while proving measurable business outcomes. Organizations that unify systems, APIs, and AI agents under a single, unified architecture are setting the stage for increased efficiency and growth.
2. Multi-agent ecosystems are creating new governance challenges
One agent is useful. Ten agents working together can be transformational. Multi-agent systems not only improve outputs but also expand the scope of what AI can achieve, handling tasks too complex for a single agent. Multi-agent ecosystems are already enabling breakthroughs in areas like fraud detection, where one agent flags anomalies, another checks compliance, and a third summarizes findings for a human analyst.
But this collaborative power brings new complexity. Different agent, whether built in-house, provided by vendors, or based on third-party models, need to interoperate securely. Without oversight, organizations risk agent sprawl, where too many autonomous systems operate without clear accountability.
Organizations that build strong monitoring and governance frameworks that are able to trace decisions, audit agent behavior, and maintain a single source of truth, will avoid disruption and harness multi-agent teamwork more effectively than their peers.
3. Business KPIs are being redefined around AI outcomes
Traditionally, business performance metrics were tied to people. That’s changing fast. As agentic AI becomes embedded in operations, organizations are starting to link key performance indicators (KPIs) directly to AI agents.
This shift has the potential to be a growth engine. It is estimated that for every $1 invested in AI, it will generate $4.60 for the global economy. However, realizing that value requires careful planning, including defined goals and a strong data foundation.
Organizations that start by defining specific AI outcomes and aligning them to measurable KPIs will pull ahead. Success will come to those who plan backward from business goals, map the right tools and data foundations, and make AI accountable for clear results.
4. APIs are becoming the backbone of the agentic enterprise
As agentic AI grows more sophisticated, APIs are emerging as a new kind of connective tissue that holds it all together. APIs enable agents to interact with systems, trigger workflows, and turn intent into action.
Without APIs, agents risk being limited to simple conversational assistants. With APIs, they can actually execute tasks, whether it’s resolving a customer issue, processing an application, or spinning up a new service.
The API management space is expected to grow nearly five times larger by 2032, driven primarily by the adoption of AI. For organizations, this means shifting the mindset from seeing APIs as behind-the-scenes enablers to recognizing them as strategic assets – core to how intelligent systems connect, collaborate, and deliver value.
Organizations that embrace API-first strategies and manage APIs consistently across the enterprise will be best positioned to unlock the full power of agentic AI.
5. Security and compliance are under the spotlight
As more agents connect through APIs, the security stakes get higher. Imagine a malicious actor exploiting a vulnerable API. In a traditional environment, that’s bad enough. But in an agentic system, the compromised agent could autonomously amplify the breach, carrying out attacks at machine speed and scale.
That’s why zero-trust principles and API governance frameworks are becoming non-negotiable. Consistent security controls are needed across every agent-to-agent and agent-to-system interaction. Otherwise, rollout slows down as teams put up roadblocks to protect themselves.
Organizations that embed security and compliance into their API and agent strategies from day one will gain speed and confidence. Those that treat governance as a growth enabler – not just a safeguard – will move faster while staying protected.
6. Composability is accelerating from prompt to prototype
IT teams spend nearly a third of their time building custom integrations between systems, often creating a major bottleneck. Composable architectures, where applications are built from reusable building blocks, have long promised to address this issue. Now, agentic AI is taking it to the next level.
Agents can rapidly assemble pre-built components into working prototypes, turning an idea into a testable product in seconds. Developers can then refine, test, and deploy at speed.
Enterprises that make composability part of their culture – encouraging experimentation and rapid iteration – will unlock the greatest advantage.
Get insights from the full report
Taken together, these six trends make one thing clear: the agentic enterprise is no longer a vision of the distant future. It’s here now, and it’s reshaping how organizations automate, secure, and scale their operations.
While the opportunities are exciting, the road ahead is complex. From governance to security to new ways of measuring success, organizations will need thoughtful strategies to maximize value and minimize risk. Read the full report to dive deeper into each of these trends, with detailed insights to help you prepare for 2026 and beyond.
