Halfway through the decade, it’s clear that AI is the defining disrupter of our time. AI’s reach is broader than any recent tech wave, reshaping business strategy, politics, trade, defense, and even social justice. Two years ago, we warned that it was already too late to wait and see. By then, leaders were using AI to improve EBITDA by 10% to 25%, while laggards fell further behind. Today, those leaders are compounding their gains and embracing agentic AI. If you’re still piloting, you’re dangerously behind.

Bain’s sixth Technology Report delivers insights on this and other tech trends through the pragmatic lens of the real work we do with clients. The advance of AI agents is the immediate top-line story. At full potential, they’ll run complete processes and workflows. Our report explores the implications for software strategy, enterprise deployment, humanoid robotics, and IT architecture, while also looking at broader implications for tech company valuation, trade relations, power production, and talent management.