Tuesday 31st of March | 09:00am EST
How Agentic AI is Reshaping Business Strategy in 2026
A Meet the Boss Showcase in partnership with Avanade
In 2026, high-growth companies will move from AI ambition to AI accountability. As disruption accelerates and AI investment surges, leaders must shift focus from experimentation to measurable value—embedding Agentic AI, strengthening platform accountability, and redesigning operating models to scale AI responsibly and competitively.
Heading into 2026, over 8 in 10 executives expect a higher level of change than last year—yet many organizations, particularly those with annual revenues up to $7.5B, do not feel fully prepared to respond. At the same time, nearly 9 in 10 are increasing AI investment, with revenue growth—not cost reduction—now the primary driver.
This session draws on insights from Accenture’s Pulse of Change Davos 2026 Mid‑Market Report and Technology Vision to explore how leading organizations are moving AI from pilots into the core of how work gets done. We’ll examine how Agentic AI, AI‑enhanced science, programmable environments, platform accountability, and cognitive digital brains are reshaping enterprise strategy, operating models, and workforce design.
Join Avanade thought leaders for a practical, executive‑level discussion on how to align AI investments with business outcomes, overcome scaling barriers, and build the trust, talent, and governance required to turn AI momentum into sustained value.
Key Discussion Themes
Agentic AI: From Automation to Autonomy
Autonomous AI agents are beginning to operate across multiple functions—but most organizations are still piloting or planning. We’ll explore what it takes to move from experimentation to enterprise deployment, how decision rights shift when humans and AI collaborate, and how leaders can maintain accountability as autonomy increases.
Programmable Environments: Embedding AI into Workflows
With executives prioritizing AI embedded directly into workflows, programmable environments are becoming essential. We’ll discuss how smart, AI‑driven environments are changing how employees, customers, and partners interact with technology—and what this means for productivity and experience design.
AI‑Enhanced Science: Accelerating Insight and Innovation
AI is compressing research, modeling, and experimentation cycles—enabling faster learning and sharper decision‑making. Learn how organizations are using AI to fuel innovation, product development, and growth rather than isolated efficiency gains.
Platform Accountability: Trust, Governance, and Sovereignty
As AI becomes foundational, accountability is no longer optional. Leaders face rising expectations around transparency, data ownership, AI governance, and security. This discussion will focus on how organizations operationalize Responsible AI while still moving at speed.
Cognitive Digital Brains: Connecting AI to Strategy
Many organizations struggle with fragmented AI initiatives. Cognitive digital brains represent a shift toward integrated systems that learn, adapt, and support enterprise‑wide decision‑making—unlocking agility and measurable impact at scale.
Speakers
Aaron Reich
Chief Technology and Innovation Officer, Avanade
Robin Copland
Head of AI Business Transformation, Avanade
Aaron Reich is the Chief Technology and Innovation Officer at Avanade. Aaron is responsible for Avanade’s technology strategy, driving AI products, client innovation and AI skill rotation across the business. Aaron was online at an early age and spent too much time with his family’s Apple IIC computer, which led to his current love of technology and its ability to make a positive difference in people’s lives. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in business from the College of William and Mary and currently resides in Seattle.
Amar Das
Vice President, AI & Translational Medicine, Guardant
Rajiv Matta
Chief Innovation Officer, MSI Group
Why This Session Matters Now
In 2026, the question is no longer whether to invest in AI—it’s how to turn accelerating investment into real business outcomes. This session is designed for leaders who are ready to move beyond hype and build AI‑driven organizations that deliver growth, trust, and resilience at scale.