AI at the Crossroads: 2025 Lessons, 2026 Leadership Mandates
As 2025 approaches its conclusion, I thought to share on where AI stands today and what must be done in 2026 to transform it into a trusted business partner rather than a source of fear. This year has been a decisive turning point in the evolution of artificial intelligence. What once felt like experimental promise has now become an indispensable force across industries. No longer limited to pilots or niche use cases, AI has matured into a mainstream driver of productivity, creativity, and innovation. From healthcare diagnostics to financial forecasting, supply chain optimization to personalized education, its impact is both visible and undeniable. Yet, with this rapid growth has come a parallel wave of anxiety. Employees worry about displacement, customers question the ethics of data use, and societies grapple with the implications of machines making decisions once reserved for humans. Fear, often fueled by misinformation or lack of transparency, has become a barrier to adoption. Th...