‘Control’ emerges as the critical competitive advantage for 2026, new report reveals

February 05, 2026

Business leaders racing to deploy AI in 2026 will discover the fastest movers need to pair the most advanced technology, with strong control frameworks, according to Ideagen’s latest report.

'2026 Trends: The year to invest in 'control' looks at the themes and predicted challenges set to face business in the coming 12 months. It shows five key areas of focus – from the need for governance to choosing intuitive agents that minimize the need for excessive training.

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Everyone agrees that AI will define 2026. But agreement doesn't help you implement it in an environment where getting it wrong isn't an option.

We're seeing this every day with our customers: companies operating in sectors where compliance is non-negotiable, but innovation is essential. The question I hear most often is, 'How do we keep up?

Here's what's different now: control doesn't mean slow. The right frameworks don't block AI adoption; they enable it by building the confidence you need to move forward.

Ben Dorks, CEO of Ideagen, said:

The analysis showed a number of areas businesses need to be thinking about:

1. Autonomous AI is moving into the core
Agentic AI is becoming enterprise infrastructure - and without governance, scale quickly becomes risk.

2. Governance is driving profit, not slowing progress
Strong control frameworks are delivering higher returns and faster deployment.

3. Security must become pre-emptive
AI-powered threats demand built-in oversight, auditability and access control - from day one.

4. Compliance is fragmenting fast
Trade, regulation and geopolitics are colliding, making real-time compliance control essential.

5. Capability gaps are stalling adoption
The winners pair intuitive platforms with training that builds trust, validation and human oversight.

For more information, download the full 2026 Trends report here.