04 December 2025
A recent study conducted by DeepL forecasts a significant transformation in business practices driven by artificial intelligence.
The research indicates that by 2026, AI agents will shift from experimental tools to essential components of enterprise operations. According to the survey, 69% of business leaders worldwide expect AI agents to impact their organisations within the next year, signalling a major milestone in automation and workforce evolution.
The study, which surveyed 5,000 executives across the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Japan, reveals that companies are preparing to deploy autonomous AI agents on a broad scale to manage knowledge work and increase productivity. This shift is anticipated to fundamentally alter workforce structures, potentially marking the most substantial operational change since the advent of cloud technology. DeepL’s CEO and founder, Jarek Kutylowski, emphasised the inevitability of this transition, noting that AI agents will eliminate much of the repetitive and mundane tasks that currently consume valuable human resources, allowing workers to focus on activities that drive growth and innovation.
As AI agents move beyond pilot programs and limited use cases, many organisations are gearing up for full-scale adoption. Nearly half of global business leaders — 44% — predict significant transformations driven by AI agents in 2026, with an additional 25% already observing early signs of such change. Only a small minority, 7%, believe AI will not have a notable impact. Confidence in AI’s potential is largely fuelled by proven return on investment and efficiency gains, cited by 22%, along with workforce adaptability and increasing enterprise readiness, each at 18%. However, concerns around costs, workforce preparedness, and technological maturity remain challenges to widespread deployment.
AI is also seen as the primary driver of business growth in the coming year. A substantial 67% of respondents reported increased ROI from AI initiatives in 2023, and more than half — 52% — anticipate AI will contribute more to their growth than any other technology next year. The UK leads the way with 80% of companies reporting positive impacts from AI, followed by Germany at 78%, the US at 71%, and France at 70%. Japan, however, lags behind with only 35%, indicating slower adoption rates in that market.
Interestingly, over half of the surveyed leaders — 51% — believe AI will generate more new roles than it displaces in the near future, and a similar percentage, 52%, expect AI skills to become essential for most new hires. This highlights an evolving job landscape where AI literacy is increasingly crucial.
The research also underscores the growing importance of Language and Voice AI as core infrastructure elements in enterprise operations. Nearly two-thirds of companies plan to increase investments in language AI in 2026, with the UK (76%), Germany (74%), the US (67%), and France (65%) leading the charge. This focus on multilingual communication reflects the need for cross-border collaboration and expansion, although Japan remains more cautious, with only 38% planning increased investment. Voice AI is rapidly transitioning from a supplementary feature to a necessity, with 54% of business leaders stating that real-time voice translation will be vital in 2026, up from 32% today. Early adoption is most prominent in the UK (48%) and France (33%), while Japan shows resistance at just 11%.
The demand for advanced live voice technology, broader customer expectations, and global market expansion are key drivers behind this shift. Kutylowski emphasised that real-time voice translation represents the next step in global communication, enabling more natural conversations and faster collaboration across language barriers.
Overall, DeepL’s findings offer valuable insights into how AI will reshape industries, influence customer interactions, and redefine competitive advantages. For more insights from DeepL’s leadership on AI’s impact across various sectors, their latest blog provides an in-depth look at the future of technology, marketing, law, and beyond.
