European executives enter 2026 with greater optimism regarding growth, hiring plans and a clear commitment to investment in AI, according to the latest analysis from Accenture. AI adoption accelerates as managers predict stronger revenue growth, driven in large part by increased investment in AI; However, employees express concerns about access, trust, and training associated with this technology.
This is revealed by the results of the recently published Pulse of Change report from Accenture, which also points out that there is a growing gap between managers and employees when it comes to readiness, trust and the real impact of investing in AI within organizations.
The main conclusions of the report
Accenture’s Pulse of Change survey analyzes how business, technology and talent trends are shaping and driving change. This edition reflects the opinions of almost 1,070 executives (120 in Spain) and 700 employees in Europe who work in some of the largest organizations in the world, covering 20 sectors, many of them immersed in ambitious investment plans in AI.
Building confidence in growth and hiring
In Spain, although 74% of business leaders foresee a greater level of change (economic, geopolitical, technological, social and environmental) in 2026, 87% expect greater revenue growth, supported in part by increasing investment in AI. These data are slightly lower than the European average, where the expectation of change reaches 82% of managers and the forecast for income growth stands at 91%, also linked to greater investment in AI.
Hiring expectations follow the same line, with 60% of Spanish businessmen surveyed stating that they plan to increase hiring this year, in a context in which investment in AI begins to redefine talent profiles and needs. This percentage rises to 71% in Europe as a whole.
Accelerating investment in AI
The majority of Spanish companies (78%) plan to increase their investment in AI in 2026, a figure slightly lower than the 84% European average. The most optimistic European countries in this area are Ireland, Italy and Germany, which plan to increase their investment in AI to 94%, 92% and 87%, respectively.
Additionally, according to the survey, 80% of European leaders now consider investing in AI to be more valuable for revenue growth than cost reduction, demonstrating a higher level of maturity and a more strategic view of this technology.
Concerns in the workforce: the gap around AI widens
While executives see investment in AI as a catalyst for growth, many employees are concerned about workforce reductions and lack of training. There is a difference of almost 25 points between Spanish employees (68%) and managers (92%) when it comes to stating that their experience with AI and investment in AI makes them confident in its potential business impact.
Only a quarter (26%) of Spanish employees say they can use AI tools with confidence. Additionally, only 15% strongly agree that their managers have clearly communicated how investing in AI will impact the workforce, including changes to roles and skills required.
Capture true potential
On the other hand, although the majority (90%) of Spanish managers believe that their organization’s staff has the basic training necessary to take advantage of the investment in AI efficiently, only half (52%) of employees think the same.
AI Adoption Accelerates as CEOs Predict Stronger Revenue Growth
Mercedes Oblanca, CEO and president of Accenture in Spain and Portugal, states that: “The study confirms what our clients tell us. They do not want to lose the momentum of AI and are accelerating investment in AI with strategies focused on growth and efficiency throughout the value chain. But capturing its true potential goes far beyond technology. It requires transforming the ways of working, building a solid data and knowledge strategy and platform, and decisively betting on training and capacity building, starting with leaders. It is not just about develop technical skills, but to promote a mentality and a culture based on collaboration and trust, capable of redefining how we work and opening a new paradigm in which human teams and AI agents collaborate in an integrated, agile and results-oriented way like never before.
