Firms rushing into AI adoption risk return on investment (ROI) failures, according to insights shared by IDC at its FutureScape 2026 event held in Singapore. The market intelligence firm presented its technology predictions for the years 2026 to 2030, signalling a notable transition in the Asia Pacific region from the AI Pivot to what is termed the Agentic Future.
Ai adoption: Shifting Economic Landscape by 2030
IDC forecasts that by 2030, half of all new economic value generated by digital businesses in Asia Pacific will originate from organisations that are currently investing in and scaling their AI capabilities. This shift entails embedding autonomy, data intelligence, and responsible governance into long-term strategies to achieve measurable business impact.
FutureScape Reports and Insights
As part of the FutureScape initiative, IDC plans to release over sixty detailed reports focusing on Asia Pacific, including specific insights for China, Japan, and Korea. Each report will scrutinise how technology, AI, and digital transformation are reshaping industries and business models through 2030.
Entering the Agentic Era
Sandra Ng, senior vice president at IDC Asia Pacific, indicated that 2026 marks the beginning of the Agentic Era. She stated that “enterprises across the region are moving beyond experimentation and pilot projects to a future where AI acts with intent, autonomy, and accountability.” Ng emphasised the importance of leadership clarity and responsible scaling in this new phase, asserting that “success is measured by how much more we can achieve when AI becomes our amplifier.”
Understanding the Customer AI Journey
The event also introduced the Customer AI Journey framework, aimed at assisting organisations in assessing their current level of AI adoption and scaling. This framework guides participants through critical stages, from evaluating AI maturity and identifying high-value use cases to measuring ROI, driving strategic growth, and preparing leadership for the emerging Agentic Future.
Predictions for AI ROI Failures
IDC anticipates that by 2026, 45% of AI-driven digital use cases in the region will not meet ROI targets due to unclear gains and insufficient data foundations. This raises significant concerns for companies eager to adopt AI technologies without a solid strategy. By 2027, half of the top 1,000 Asia-based chief information officers (CIOs) are expected to be responsible for creating enterprise AI value playbooks aimed at quantifying AI’s business impact.
Leadership Challenges Ahead
By 2029, IDC projects that 55% of chief executives in the region’s largest companies without a clear AI strategy may face pressure to resign. As the Asia Pacific IT spending is forecast to rise by 7% to reach $1.123 trillion in 2026, the pressure for effective AI integration intensifies.
Transformational Leadership in AI
Furthermore, IDC predicts that by 2028, 60% of CIO roles in the top 1,000 companies will be held by transformational leaders who are actively implementing AI-powered business models. Ng highlighted that this year’s theme, “Charting the Agentic Future,” signifies a critical shift from viewing AI merely as a tool to recognising it as a catalyst for accelerated outcomes.
The Evolving Role of AI in Business
In her remarks, Ng noted that as machines take on repetitive tasks, human capacities will shift towards context and imagination. She explained, “In this new era, AI executes and people interpret and decide; AI predicts and people prioritise and act; AI scales knowledge, and people shape purpose and impact.” Importantly, Ng mentioned, “The Agentic Future does not wait for readiness; it rewards motion.”
Wider Trends Influencing Leadership
IDC’s research also highlighted broader trends set to transform leadership and innovation in coming years. It was found that 66% of chief executives in Asia Pacific and Japan believe that AI will provide their organisations with the opportunity to reinvent business models within the next three to five years. However, by 2027, it is projected that 45% of AI applications and services will struggle to move beyond proof of concept, compelling CEOs to establish AI centres of excellence to centralise strategy, governance, and scaling efforts.
Managing Multi-Agent Experiences
Looking ahead, IDC forecasts that by 2027, 60% of organisations will manage multi-agent experiences across various channels, applications, and suppliers to deliver seamless and context-rich engagement. These projections underscore IDC’s belief that the next decade of digital competition will hinge on leadership accountability, ecosystem intelligence, and the capacity to transform data into sustainable value.
