Trends

Artificial intelligence, for 92 per cent of Italian managers increased investment in 2026

According to a study by Accenture, the acceleration on AI in our country is also accompanied by a strong focus on skills

16 January 2026

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Key points

Employee Timings
Growing scene
AI culture

2' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Artificial intelligence, 92% of Italian managers expect an increase in investment in 2026. This is what emerges from Accenture's new study 'Pulse of Change', published ahead of the Davos Forum. According to the report, most European organisations (84%) expect to increase their investments in AI in 2026. Italian companies are among the most optimistic (92%), followed by German companies (87%).

Eighty per cent of European leaders consider these investments in AI more valuable for revenue growth than cost reduction, demonstrating a greater maturity in the use of the technology. In Italy, the acceleration on artificial intelligence is also accompanied by a strong focus on skills: 57% of leaders state, in fact, that in 2026 they will focus on upskilling and reskilling programmes to prepare the workforce for an increasingly widespread use of AI, a figure higher than the European average (46%).

Employees' concerns

While managers see AI as a catalyst for growth, many employees express fears related to a shrinking workforce and insufficient training. Only about half (61 per cent) of European employees say that their experience with AI has led them to believe in its wider potential for business impact, a level of optimism significantly lower than that of top management (84 per cent).

In Italy, however, a distinctive feature emerges: 40 per cent of employees say they know how to use AI tools confidently and are able to explain them to others, compared to a European average of 25 per cent.

A sign of increased confidence that coexists, however, with fears related to the future of work and training. In fact, just 41 per cent of European employees feel confident in their role and only 14 per cent of the sample strongly agree that leadership has clearly explained how AI and digital agents will affect the workforce, including changes to roles and required skills.

Growing Scenario

The focus on artificial intelligence is set in a growing context. According to Accenture's study, in Europe - despite the fact that the majority of leaders (82%) expect 2026 to be characterised by further economic, geopolitical, and technological changes - significant revenue growth is expected in local markets. In particular, 91% expect an increase of 5 percentage points compared to four months ago. In Italy, optimism is particularly high, with 86% of leaders anticipating a more changing environment in 2026 and 88% expecting revenue growth.

AI Culture

According to Mauro Macchi, Accenture's ceo for Europe, Middle East and Africa, "This research clearly reflects the priorities that emerge in the daily dialogue we have with clients across Europe, where leaders are consolidating the AI journey and increasing investment to support it. The study also highlights a critical theme: if we do not engage people, the full value of AI will remain untapped. It is not just a matter of developing technical skills to work with AI, but of developing the culture necessary to enable the entire workforce to use this technology with confidence. The real gap is not between those who have skills and those who do not, but between those who use AI and those who are left behind'.