Gartner Announces Top Predictions for Data and Analytics in 2026

Gartner has released its top data and analytics (D&A) predictions for 2026, with AI expected to have an impact across all aspects of data and analytics, including leadership, governance, talent, market dynamics, the need for context, and the world beyond text-based models.

“The pace of change in data and artificial intelligence is so rapid that each year feels like stepping into a new chapter of a science-fiction novel,” said Rita Sallam, Distinguished VP Analyst at Gartner. “In 2026, the boundaries between human, machine, and organizational intelligence will continue to blur. Businesses rely on data in unprecedented ways, with AI systems not just supporting us, but collaborating as partners. These predictions offer leaders a roadmap to prepare for the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead.”

By 2027, 75% of hiring processes will include certifications and testing for workplace AI proficiency during recruiting, according to Gartner. Leaders who fail to modernize their tech talent strategies risk leaving their organizations permanently behind competitors who have successfully unlocked human-AI collaboration.

“D&A leaders should encourage rigorous, data-driven measurement of skills to surface deficits that stand between their AI-ambition and IT workforce readiness,” said Sallam.

Through 2027, GenAI and AI agent use will create the first true challenge to mainstream productivity tools in 30 years, prompting a $58 billion market shakeup.

The research suggests that AI will continue to trigger new competition for productivity suites as value shifts to agentic AI experiences. D&A leaders must demand tools built for today, such as new user interfaces, plug-ins, document types, and formats.

By 2029, AI agents are projected to generate 10 times more data from physical environments than from all digital AI applications combined.

By 2030, 50% of organizations will use autonomous AI agents to interpret governance policies and technical standards into machine-verifiable data contracts, automating compliance and governance policy enforcement, Gartner predicts.

By 2030, 50% of AI agent deployment failures will be due to insufficient AI governance platform runtime enforcement for capabilities and multisystem interoperability. In the near-term, ungoverned decisions using LLMs will cause financial or reputational loss for enterprises.

“D&A leaders should experiment with data governance agents in low-risk pipelines to orchestrate and automate negotiation processes,” said Sallam. “They’ll need to validate that agents can correctly interpret context and protocols in a controlled environment before trying to scale further. Analytic workflows should also be redesigned to include a required evaluation stage.”

Gartner clients can learn more in the complimentary webinar: Top Trends in Data and Analytics, 2026.

Channel Impact^®
The report demonstrates ample opportunities for channel partners eager to help their clients navigate these transitions.