Gartner Says 40% of Apps Will Have AI Agents by 2026. Is Your Company Ready?

Gartner forecasts a sharp rise in enterprise applications embedding AI agents, jumping from less than 5% in 2025 to 40% by the end of 2026. This rapid growth means AI will no longer be a separate tool but a built-in feature of the software employees use daily. This shift will change how work gets done across industries. The question is, how prepared is your organization for this change?

What Embedded AI Agents Mean for Your Business

Embedded AI agents are not just chatbots or simple automation. They are intelligent features integrated directly into core business applications. These AI agents work continuously in the background, helping employees make better decisions and complete tasks faster.

Here are some examples of what embedded AI agents can do:

• Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

Automatically research prospects, enrich contact details, and suggest the best next steps for sales teams.

• Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)

Predict supply chain disruptions before they happen and recommend ways to reduce risk.

• Human Resources (HR) Systems

Screen job candidates, identify skill gaps in teams, and suggest personalized training opportunities.

• Financial Software

Detect unusual transactions, flag potential errors, and automate routine reconciliations.

• Project Management Tools

Identify project risks, forecast delays, and suggest how to allocate resources more effectively.

This AI works inside the tools employees already use, without needing them to launch separate programs or commands. It helps teams stay productive and informed throughout their workday.

Assessing Your Organization’s Readiness

With this fast-approaching wave of AI integration, companies must evaluate their readiness in three key areas: technical infrastructure, organizational capability, and vendor partnerships.

Technical Readiness

• API Access

AI agents require programmatic access to your systems. If your core applications lack APIs or modern interfaces, AI integration will be difficult or impossible.

• Data Sharing

AI agents often need to pull data from multiple systems. Secure and seamless data sharing between applications is essential. Data silos will limit AI’s usefulness.

• Identity and Access Management (IAM)

Your IAM systems must support AI agents with the right permissions. Agents need controlled access to sensitive data and functions without compromising security.

Organizational Capability

• Skills and Training

Employees need to understand how to work alongside AI agents. Training programs should focus on interpreting AI suggestions and making informed decisions.

• Change Management

Introducing AI agents changes workflows. Leaders must communicate clearly and involve teams early to ease adoption.

• Data Governance

Strong policies are required to ensure data quality and privacy. AI depends on accurate data, and misuse can lead to compliance issues.

Vendor Relationships

• Choosing the Right Partners

Work with software vendors who prioritize AI integration and offer flexible APIs.

• Ongoing Support

AI capabilities evolve quickly. Vendors should provide regular updates and support to keep your AI agents effective.

• Customization Options

Your business is unique. Vendors that allow customization of AI features will help you get the most value.

Practical Steps to Prepare

Start by auditing your current systems for API availability and data integration capabilities. Identify any legacy applications that may block AI adoption and plan upgrades or replacements.

Next, build a cross-functional team including IT, HR, and business leaders to develop an AI readiness roadmap. This team can oversee training, change management, and data governance efforts.

Finally, engage with your software vendors to understand their AI roadmaps and integration options. Early conversations will help you align your technology strategy with emerging AI trends.

The Impact on Daily Work

Embedded AI agents will change how employees interact with software. Instead of searching for information or manually updating records, AI will provide timely insights and automate routine tasks.

For example, a sales rep using a CRM with AI agents might receive a notification about a high-potential lead, complete with background research and suggested talking points. A supply chain manager could get early warnings about shipment delays and alternative sourcing options.

This shift will free employees to focus on higher-value work, improve decision-making, and reduce errors.

Final Thoughts

The rapid rise of AI agents embedded in enterprise applications will reshape work in the next few years. Organizations that prepare now by upgrading technical infrastructure, building skills, and partnering with the right vendors will gain a competitive edge.

Start assessing your readiness today. Identify gaps, plan upgrades, and train your teams to work effectively with AI agents. This preparation will ensure your company benefits from AI’s potential to improve productivity and decision-making.