Ranked: AI Adoption by Industry in 2026

How does AI adoption look by industry? 

Here’s the list of Industries Shifting from Software to Built-In AI as well as the percentage of respondents whose organisations chose to build with AI instead of buying software.

Build versus buy is become a real alternative to software procurement across industries. In fact, nearly one-third organisations already using AI have skipped a purchase in favour of building in house. 

Overall, tech, healthcare, and professional services are leading this shift, while more regulated or budget constrained sectors like insurance and public/social services are moving more cautiously.

Here are the detailed rankings:

1. Technology: 41%

2. Healthcare payers & providers: 39%

3. Professional services: 38%

4. Energy and materials: 38%

5. Financial institutions: 36%

6. Media and telecom: 34%

7. Pharma and medical products: 33%

8. Travel and logistics: 31%

9. Consumer goods and retail: 29%

10. Engineering and construction: 28%

11. Advanced manufacturing: 27%

12. Insurance: 19%

13. Public and social sector: 17%

Which industries will increase their adoption in the next few years?

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