TLDR: A global study by Protiviti reveals that more than 68% of multinational organizations anticipate integrating autonomous or semi-autonomous AI agents into their core operations by 2026. Nearly one in four (23%) respondents reported being within six months of integrating such agents, with an additional 27% planning integration within the next six months. The study highlights a preference for semi-autonomous models, with 77% of AI-mature organizations focusing on using AI agents for repetitive tasks. A notable perception gap exists between executives and mid-level staff regarding the expected level of AI autonomy.
MENLO PARK, Calif., September 30, 2025 – A recent global study conducted by Protiviti, a leading consulting firm, indicates a significant acceleration in the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) agents across multinational organizations. The study, part of Protiviti’s AI Pulse Survey series titled ‘From Automation to Autonomy: The Capabilities and Complexities of AI Agents,’ projects that over 68% of organizations will have integrated autonomous or semi-autonomous AI agents into their core operations by 2026.
The findings, based on responses gathered in August 2025, show that nearly one in four (23%) organizations are already within six months of integrating AI agents capable of operating semi-autonomously or with defined human-supervised guardrails. Furthermore, an additional 27% of organizations plan to integrate agentic and multi-agent AI systems into their operations within the next six months. These initial deployments are typically confined to specific domains, allowing organizations to derive value while effectively managing potential risks.
Tom Andreesen, Protiviti AI Leader, emphasized the transformative potential of agentic AI. “Agentic AI represents the next chapter of corporate transformation,” said Andreesen. “Successful organizations are starting with semi-autonomous models that build trust and confidence, before scaling toward greater autonomy as their capabilities mature. The future of AI in business will be defined by this progression from controlled pilots to trusted, organization-wide decision-making.”
The report underscores a strong near-term focus on agentic AI integration, with over half of organizations planning implementation within the next year. Only about 5% of organizations are targeting a longer 3-to-5-year horizon. Organizations in more advanced stages of AI adoption (Stages 4-5, optimization and transformation phases) are leading this integration drive. Specifically, 77% of these highly mature organizations are either already utilizing or expect to utilize AI agents for repetitive tasks, aiming to leverage these agents as competitive assets for performance and strategic impact.
In contrast, organizations in the earlier stages of their AI journey (Stages 1-2) are still in exploratory phases, with 33% targeting integration within 12 months and 28% within 1-2 years. To build foundational capabilities in agentic AI, 45% of respondents are engaging in vendor partnerships and participating in open-source ecosystems.
A notable disparity in perception exists between executive leadership and lower-level employees. Among board and C-suite executives, 37% anticipate integrating semi-autonomous agents, and 31% foresee fully autonomous agents. Mid-level and operational staff, however, exhibit more caution, with only 17% expecting full autonomy. This difference is likely attributed to their closer involvement with operational risks and implementation challenges.
Perceived benefits and priorities for AI agent deployment also vary across industries and leadership roles. Healthcare, technology, and retail sectors are prioritizing enhanced real-time data processing and insight generation. Financial services organizations are focusing on automating complex decision-making processes, leveraging their existing real-time data infrastructure. Government and manufacturing & distribution (M&D) sectors, conversely, maintain a more conservative outlook due to regulatory constraints and risk-averse operational environments.
Patrick Anderson, Managing Director, AI at Protiviti, highlighted the strategic imperative for senior leaders. “Senior leaders see agentic AI as a catalyst for scale, speed, and competitive advantage,” stated Anderson. “The opportunity is clear — the real work lies in closing the readiness gap to turn ambition into capability. Organizations that invest in the right governance frameworks, internal skill sets, and have strategic clarity will be the ones to scale successfully.”
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The survey methodology involved approximately 900 global responses from C-suite executives, board members, vice presidents, and director- and manager-level professionals across diverse industries, with primary job functions including IT, operations, finance, compliance, and executive/board roles. Protiviti’s AI Pulse Survey series, launched in 2025, aims to provide insights into enterprise AI usage, growth opportunities, and challenges, with each survey focusing on a specific theme such as AI readiness, ROI, data challenges, agentic AI, and operational/governance risks.
