Gartner’s survey, which involved 469 CEOs and senior business executives, revealed that 80% anticipate artificial intelligence (AI) will significantly enhance their operational capabilities, transitioning their focus from digital business to an autonomous business model. According to Gartner, an autonomous business is defined as a framework where self-learning software agents and machine customers make decisions, take actions, and generate new forms of value.
The survey noted that currently, 54% of CEOs view their automation efforts as limited to specific tasks, with only 13% expecting to remain at this level by the end of 2028. Instead, 32% plan to leverage self-learning and adaptable AI tools to aid in human decision-making, while 27% foresee their organizations mostly operating without human involvement.
Additionally, the report highlights potential shifts in profit models due to AI integration. Approximately 28% of CEOs indicated that transactional revenue is at the highest risk, as AI agents may automate functions like purchasing, pricing, and negotiation, thereby decreasing reliance on transaction-based intermediary models.
Interestingly, only 17% of CEOs expect AI to significantly alter their customer base. Many are more focused on using AI to strengthen existing customer relationships and to prepare for future machine customers.
In summary, the findings suggest that as AI advances, CEOs and CIOs must reconsider their operating models, decision-making frameworks, revenue structures, and technological foundations to adapt to more autonomous operational methods.
Published on April 27, 2026, at 08:01 AM IST.
