From Experimentation to Obligation: The Skills Tech Leaders Will Actually Need in 2026
If 2025 was the year of AI experimentation, then 2026 is the year emergent AI solutions hit the mainstream. Large language models, predictive systems and co-pilot tools have moved from novel tools, only used in pilot areas, to increasingly integral parts of the tech stack.
According to a global survey conducted by consultancy KPMG, two-thirds of people (66%) regularly use AI. Yet, only 40% say their workplace has any guidance or policies on GenAI use. For tech leaders, now is the time to make decisions on how AI will, and should, be deployed across the organisations. This, of course, is no easy task, with a range of tech skills needed to make the ongoing transition to advanced technologies and AI a success.
Perhaps the most essential skill required by leaders will be risk literacy. Unlike conventional software, AI systems offer a range of benefits but also unknown risks that can cause harm on a wide scale if not understood properly. The first step is to recognise how both technical and non-technical teams can work together to understand how AI models and their behaviour can change over time.
Establishing detailed governance standards around AI accountability is now a question central to organisational reliance. As with any emerging technology, mistakes will happen and preparing for these eventualities before they cause damage is the right move for business leaders.
Preparing for AI Incidents Demands New Operational Tech Skills
Incident response in an era of more conventional tech failures or cyber breaches looks very different from the challenges posed by AI incidents today. Bespoke playbook and tech teams that are ready to deploy at short notice will be essential in combating some of the most pressing threats posed by the challenges that will face enterprises over the next year and beyond.
Findings from the 2025 AI Governance Survey highlight a growing gap between the reality of AI usage and corporate policies. The report shows that less than half (48%) of companies are actively monitoring their AI systems for accuracy, misuse or drift, with just 54% possessing an incident response playbook specifically for AI risks.
“This survey exposes a growing disconnect between AI policy and practice. Organisations that don’t address it are playing with fire, and they know it,” said David Talby, CEO of Pacific AI. “Without responsible AI practices baked into the entire AI development lifecycle, developers and thereby the organisations they work for are escalating legal, financial, and reputational risks.”
Recent years have seen the creation of powerful AI tools, but for corporate executives, 2026 will be the year when the creation of effective governance systems will be equally essential as the AI tools themselves.
