BGD Outlook: Johannes-Tobias Lorenz

2026 will be the year AI starts doing the work

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2026 will be the year AI starts doing the work, not just being talked about it. Most focused the last few years improving models. Today, they write better text, generate better code, analyze more data. Impressive progress, no question. But the underlying shift is different.

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AI is beginning to connect to the systems where work actually happens, being embedded in workflows and enterprise software. Instead of producing an answer on a screen, it can carry out a sequence of actions across tools. This redefines productivity – with material consequences.

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The race will be won by those who integrate AI seamlessly into their processes

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First, the race will not be won by those with access to the most powerful model. It will be won by those who integrate AI seamlessly into their processes. Connecting systems intelligently will matter more than squeezing out another percentage point of model performance.

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Governance and accountability move to the center

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Second, governance and accountability move to the center. When AI systems act across internal data, documents, and external platforms, clarity on permissions, oversight, and responsibility becomes essential. This is less about fear of failure and more about building the confidence required to scale.

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Digital business models will need to adapt

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Third, digital business models will need to adapt. If agents interact with platforms on behalf of users, the traditional user interface becomes less central. The real competition shifts to APIs, data access, and ecosystem positioning.

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The defining technological change of 2026 will not be a headline grabbing innovation. It will be the quiet but profound move from AI as a tool you consult to AI as a system that executes.

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