Signal Leaders unclear on priorities are more pessimistic about AI

Summary

McKinsey's 2026 survey describes AI adoption as a litmus test of strategic clarity. Leaders who do not see AI being adopted in their companies tend to be more pessimistic. Among leaders who are unclear about their organization's must-win battles, 69 percent hold a negative outlook on AI. The share is lower, at 57 percent, among leaders who are clear about those priorities. The report places this alongside findings that clear leaders are also more optimistic overall and more confident about adapting to change. The result suggests that how leaders view AI is tied to how well they understand where their organization must compete.