The World Economic Forum’s (WEF) April 2026 report, Growth in the New Economy: Towards a Blueprint, identifies accelerating artificial intelligence (AI) adoption as a primary force shaping global economic growth. The report, informed by dialogues with nearly 200 industry professionals and a survey of over 11,000 executives, positions AI as a frontier technology central to productivity and value creation, essential for translating innovation into sustained economic output amid geostrategic competition, high debt, environmental pressures, and demographic shifts.
AI adoption has surged across industries. McKinsey’s Global AI Survey finds 88% of organizations now use AI in at least one business function, up from 78% the prior year, with 23% scaling agentic AI systems. Deloitte’s State of AI in the Enterprise report notes worker access to AI rose 50% in 2025, while the number of companies with 40% or more AI projects in production is expected to double within six months.
The financial services and fintech sector stands at the forefront of this shift. Gartner data shows over 70% of financial institutions were using AI at scale by late 2025—more than double the 30% figure from 2023. McKinsey reports that 58% of financial institutions directly link revenue growth to AI, primarily through enhanced trading, predictive risk management, and process automation. Fintech players, representing just 40% of the sector dataset tracked by McKinsey, drive nearly 70% of all AI initiatives.
Practical impacts are already measurable. AI-powered fraud detection systems achieve over 90% accuracy, with projections of £9.6 billion in annual global bank savings by 2026. Generative AI alone could add $200–340 billion in annual value to global banking. PwC’s 2026 AI Business Predictions highlight agentic AI transforming finance functions, while Deloitte notes firms deploying autonomous AI agents for tasks like meeting follow-ups.
Concurrently, a KPMG survey of 150 UK financial services senior leaders reveals a sector preparing for a hiring rebound focused on AI and tech talent. 55% of firms intend to increase staff numbers in 2026, with 52% of that growth directed at technology positions. Demand for AI capabilities is the leading priority, identified by 44% of firms seeking external candidates. For board-level expansions, 57% cite AI expertise as their top target.
Karim Haji, Global and UK Head of Financial Services at KPMG, noted that “AI is creating demand for human skills” and moving beyond a simple efficiency tool to actively reshape talent strategies. The survey also shows a clear preference for technological solutions over human investment for resilience, with 68% prioritizing technology for fraud prevention.
Despite rapid adoption, challenges persist. The WEF warns of skill shortages and policy instability. While 89% of financial services firms in NVIDIA’s 2026 report say AI boosts revenue, only 38% of finance AI projects meet ROI expectations per Deloitte, with over 60% facing implementation delays. Haji cautioned that an excessive focus on senior tech hires could limit long-term resilience, stressing the need for balanced human judgement and governance.
The WEF emphasizes “no-regret” moves like investing in productivity and talent, concluding that the new economy rewards those who move from AI experimentation to enterprise-wide impact.
