Nearly half of technology companies are already integrating or fully deploying agentic AI, according to Ernst & Young’s (EY US) latest Technology Pulse Poll. Conducted in April 2025, the survey reveals that 48% of over 500 technology leaders have embraced this advanced AI model within their organizations. Furthermore, 50% anticipate that more than half of their AI operations will function autonomously within the next 24 months.
Conducted by Atomik Research for EY US, the survey involved 504 senior business leaders from US technology firms with 5,000 or more employees, featuring a margin of error of +/- 4 percentage points and a confidence level of 95%. The data collection occurred from April 9 to April 21, 2025. Participants included directors and various levels of vice-presidents, emphasizing insights from those at the forefront of tech industry leadership.
“Against an uncertain macroeconomic and trade environment, executives are still overwhelmingly positive on the business value that agentic AI can deliver,” said EY global and Americas technology sector leader James Brundage. “Our survey shows reaffirmations in ambitious AI spending and a move from pilots to production, which are other indicators of the positive trendline for these leaders. That said, despite the optimism they’re feeling, there’s still tremendous pressure for these technology leaders to demonstrate return on investment now through measurement and tangible top-line and bottom-line results.”
The poll uncovers a significant drive towards increased AI investment, with 92% of respondents planning to enhance their expenditure on AI over the coming year. This marks a notable increase of 10% compared to March 2024 levels. Moreover, over half (58%) of executives perceive their organizations as leading in AI investment ahead of competitors, indicating a strategic shift in long-term business planning.
Agentic AI moves from experimentation to necessity
A key insight from the survey is the shift of agentic AI from experimental to essential. Among those increasing their AI budgets, 43% have allocated more than half specifically for agentic AI initiatives. Maintaining competitiveness is a priority for 69% of executives adopting agentic AI, while helping customers and refining internal strategies both account for 59%. This transition signifies a broad industry trend acknowledging the critical role of AI in future-proofing businesses.
The workforce impact remains mixed as organizations expand their AI capabilities. Companies are equally focused on upskilling current employees (70%) and hiring new talent with AI skills (68%). A substantial majority (84%) expect to recruit within six months due to AI advancements. This hiring trend underscores the growing demand for skilled professionals who can effectively implement and manage AI technologies.
Security concerns accompany this rapid adoption; though 73% have implemented governance frameworks for AI oversight, nearly half (49%) identify data privacy and security breaches as significant concerns, a rise of 19 percentage points since last year. As agentic AI becomes more integral to business operations, leaders are compelled to address these security issues comprehensively to protect sensitive data and maintain consumer trust. Developing robust security protocols is crucial as companies scale their AI capabilities.
