AI’s software development success and central management needs

A survey carried out by OutSystems, The State of AI Development 2026 [email wall], argues that AI has moved into early production phase for many enterprises, primarily inside the IT function.

The survey was based on the responses of 1,879 IT leaders, and warns that adoption of AI is in danger of running ahead of governance and integration. The shortfall is a gap between what IT leaders want agents to do and what their organisations can safely control. The report’s authors urge companies to address the controls or guardrails on AI systems, and also stress the importance of integrating new, AI technology into an organisation’s existing platforms.

OutSystems says 97% of its respondents are exploring some form of agentic strategy, with 49% of them describing their current abilities as “advanced” or “expert.” Nearly half of those surveyed say that over half of agentic AI projects have moved from pilot into production, with Indian companies most successful in implementing the technology: 50% of Indian companies say their AI projects are 51% to 75% successful.

Companies are considering where agents should be deployed first, and under what controls, but although “cost reduction or efficiency g...