Charting the Agentic Future: IDC 2026 Predictions
IDC FutureScape 2026 Predictions: AI to Drive 50% of New Economic Value from Digital Business in APJ by 2030
Agentic AI is redefining enterprise strategy, transforming how technology, people, and performance work together to drive growth. At the IDC FutureScape 2026 event in Singapore held last November 14, IDC unveiled its top technology predictions for 2026–2030, highlighting the region’s transition from the AI Pivot to the Agentic Future. IDC forecasts that by 2030, 50% of new economic value generated by digital businesses in Asia/Pacific will come from organizations investing in and scaling their AI capabilities today, as enterprises embed autonomy, data intelligence, and responsible governance into strategy to deliver measurable business impact.
As part of FutureScape 2026, IDC will publish more than 60 Asia/Pacific reports including in-depth forecasts for China, Japan, and Korea. Each report explores how technology, AI, and digital transformation are shaping industries and business models through 2030.
Moving from AI Pivot to the Agentic Future
By 2029, 55% of A1000 CEOs lacking a clear AI strategy and governance model will face replacement pressure from boards and investors demanding digital leadership.* The pressure is on; IDC forecasts APJ IT Spending to grow by 7% to reach US$1.123T in 2026, accounting for 25.2% of Worldwide Total Addressable Market.
“2026 marks the dawn of the Agentic Era,” said Sandra Ng, senior vice president, IDC Asia/Pacific. “Enterprises across the region are moving beyond experimentation and pilot projects to a future where AI acts with intent, autonomy, and accountability. In this new phase, leadership clarity and responsible scaling are critical. Success is measured by how much more we can achieve when AI becomes our amplifier. Discovery is the journey we must all undertake in this unprecedented era. The best will lead through AI – learning fast and guiding others on this journey of change.”
Source: IDC FutureScape 2026 – CEO (APJ – P3)
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Scaling with Impact
Embedding AI into core operations to deliver measurable impact and drive sustainable growth through scaled, responsible innovation. -
Collective Resistance
Building collective resilience by connecting its ecosystem in a trusted, adaptive defense that leverages predictive analytics and user involvement. -
Digital Orchestration
CIOs drive impact by orchestrating technology, talent, and ecosystems to scale AI, build resilience, and foster innovation.
Chart the AI Journey Here
Accelerate impact with clarity. Explore Stations 1–3 and download guides to fast-track your agentic future.
Know Your AI Maturity Stage
AI maturity varies across every organization. Start by understanding where you are and align your goals, your investments, and your partnerships accordingly.
IDC Prediction: By 2030, 50% of new economic value generated by APJ digital businesses will come from companies that are investing in and scaling up their AI capabilities today.
Why it matters for buyers
To succeed, you need a clear view of where your organization stands today and align your AI strategy to what’s achievable now and next.
Buyer Key Takeaway:
Understand your AI maturity stage to prioritize the right initiatives — from foundational readiness and governance to scaling AI workloads and business impact.
Why it matters for vendors
To win, you must know where your customers are today and tailor solutions accordingly.
Vendor Takeaway:
Position your offerings by maturity stage – from advisory services and infra modernization, to advanced AI workloads and business transformation.
Identify and prioritize the most impactful AI use cases
It’s not about more AI — it’s about the right AI. Focus on the use cases that create real impact for your organization.
IDC Prediction: In 2026, 45% of AI-fueled digital use cases in APJ will fail ROI targets, held back by unclear gains, rising risks, weak human augmentation and poor data foundations.
Why it matters for buyers
Without clear priorities, even well-funded AI efforts can fall short. Focusing on the right use cases is key to achieving real results.
Buyer Takeaway:
Pinpoint high-value cases that align with your strategic goals and avoid wasted effort on AI that doesn’t deliver
Why it matters for vendors
Customers struggle to prioritize. You can simplify their buying decision by mapping your solutions directly to their high-value use cases.
Vendor Takeaway:
Show how your technology solves the right problem at the right time.
Calculate AI ROI by Measuring Real Business Value
Move beyond traditional ROI. Reframe AI value in terms of business impact from growth and efficiency to reduced risk.
IDC Prediction: By 2027, 50% of A1000 CIOs will be tasked to create enterprise AI value playbooks, featuring expanded ROI models to define, measure and showcase AI impact across efficiency, growth and innovation.
Why it matters for buyers:
Traditional ROI models miss the full value of AI. Leaders need frameworks that show impact across efficiency, growth, and risk reduction.
Buyer Takeaway:
Adopt a value-first approach to AI – one that aligns with business priorities and resonates across the C-suite.
Why it matters for vendors:
You need to speak the language of value architects (CIOs), not just IT spend
Vendor Takeaway:
Use IDC’s AI Business Value Benefit Framework to prove impact in revenue growth, efficiency, and risk reduction.