Navigating Economic Uncertainty: How AI is Building Business Resilience in 2026
As economic headwinds persist, businesses are prioritizing adaptability and resilience. A recent survey by Personiv revealed that 62% of organizations experienced significant impacts from economic shifts in the first half of 2025, prompting a wave of investment in technologies and strategies designed to weather the storm.
The Rise of Agentic AI and Operational Transformation
The most prominent trend is the expansion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) use cases. Currently, 76% of public companies and 45% of private companies are leveraging AI in operations, particularly within finance – including payroll, expense reporting, and compliance. While automation remains a key driver, “agentic AI” is emerging as a powerful tool for building operational resilience.
Data-Driven Forecasting: A Competitive Advantage
Accurate forecasting and strategic planning are becoming increasingly critical. Nearly a third of companies surveyed identified these areas as a priority, likely due to the significant impact of economic changes on forecasting accuracy in 2025. But, AI adoption in finance and accounting remains uneven, with less than a third of respondents utilizing AI in over half of their functions. This presents a significant opportunity for efficiency and accuracy gains.
Supply Chain Optimization in an Unstable World
Economic policy changes have impacted the supply chains of over half of businesses. Given existing vulnerabilities – geopolitical instability and weather events – this heightened uncertainty necessitates robust risk management. AI-powered automation is helping organizations reduce supply chain risk, control costs, and manage complexity. AI agents can monitor real-time conditions, predict disruptions, and suggest alternative scenarios.
Strategic Investment: CapEx and OpEx in a Modern Era
More than half of surveyed companies increased capital and operational expenditures in 2025, and a quarter planned further increases. This trend aligns with broader economic patterns, with capital expenditure outpacing sales growth. AI-related investments are a major driver of this spending, and that’s expected to continue into 2026.
The Talent Challenge and the Role of AI
Finding skilled finance and accounting talent remains a challenge. Companies are conserving existing talent through AI automation of repetitive tasks like payroll and accounts payable. However, with 38% of respondents planning to increase headcount in the next six months, AI can also play a role in streamlining the recruitment process.
Cybersecurity: A Top Priority in the Age of AI-Powered Threats
Cybersecurity is the top risk-related concern for businesses, with 32% of respondents identifying it as a critical area of focus. Criminals are increasingly leveraging AI to create more sophisticated attacks, including phishing, social engineering, and ransomware. Fortunately, AI can also be used for defense, with AI-backed security tools helping companies detect and respond to threats faster. The worldwide average cost of a data breach even decreased by 9% in 2025, partially due to the adoption of these tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is “agentic AI”? Agentic AI systems can learn and act independently within defined parameters, going beyond simple automation to manage complex processes.
- How is AI impacting supply chains? AI is helping companies monitor risks, control costs, and manage complexity by predicting disruptions and suggesting alternative solutions.
- What percentage of companies are using AI in finance? 76% of public companies and 45% of private companies are currently using AI in some capacity within their finance operations.
- Is AI increasing or decreasing cybersecurity risks? While AI can be used for malicious purposes, it also provides powerful tools for detecting and preventing cyberattacks.
AI is becoming a foundational element for building resilient organizations. By leveraging AI for forecasting, supply chain optimization, strategic investment, talent management, and cybersecurity, businesses can equip themselves to navigate economic uncertainty and thrive in a rapidly changing world.