Global CEOs Navigate Uncertainty and AI’s Growing Divide
Insights from PwC’s 29th Global CEO Survey
CEOs across the world are steering their organisations through turbulent economic waters, balancing bold reinvention with caution in the face of mounting risks. That’s the central story emerging from PwC’s 29th Global CEO Survey, released January 19, 2026, which captures perspectives from 4,454 chief executives in 95 countries and territories. (PwC)
From Optimism to Realism: A Shift in CEO Sentiment
Despite ongoing enthusiasm for innovation and growth, CEO confidence in near-term revenue expansion has dropped to its lowest level in five years. Just 30% of leaders say they are very or extremely confident about their company’s revenue outlook for the coming 12 months—a sharp decline from 38% in 2025 and 56% in 2022. (PwC)
This sobering assessment reflects broader economic complexities including geopolitical headwinds, tariff pressures, and increasingly potent cyber threats that are reshaping strategic priorities worldwide.
AI: Still Promising But Not Yet Profitable
One of the most striking insights from the survey is how artificial intelligence (AI) is being perceived within the C-suite.
- Only 12% of CEOs report that AI has delivered both cost savings and revenue growth. (PwC)
- About 33% have seen either cost reduction or revenue uplift from AI initiatives, but the majority (56%) report no meaningful financial gains so far. (PwC)
That gap underscores the profound divide between leaders successfully operationalising AI and those still experimenting without clear returns—a theme echoed in reports from multiple regions where executives question whether their organisations are transforming fast enough. (PwC)
External Risks Move to the Forefront
Beyond short-term revenue concerns, executives are increasingly focused on external dangers:
- Cybersecurity risk has surged in importance, with nearly one in three CEOs viewing it as a major threat. (PwC)
- Tariff risks and macroeconomic volatility also rank high on the risk agenda, as geopolitical tensions affect global operations. (PwC)
In response, CEOs are prioritising resilience—especially around cyber defences, with roughly 84% planning enterprise-wide investments to bolster security. (PwC)
Reinvention: The Strategic Imperative
Despite these challenges, CEOs are not retreating. Many see reinvention—entering new sectors and reinventing business models—as essential to future growth:
- Over 40% of CEOs say their companies are now competing in new industries outside their traditional markets. (PwC)
- Among those planning major acquisitions, 44% expect to invest outside their current sector, with technology leading the way. (PwC Cyprus)
This trend reflects a belief that innovation and expansion—however challenging to execute—are key to navigating uncertainty and outpacing competitors.
Regional Nuances Add Depth to the Global Picture
The survey also highlights regional variations:
- CEOs in the Asia Pacific region view cyber risk as their chief concern, even surpassing other threats, driven by digital transformation and increased data flows. (PwC)
- Middle East executives remain among the most confident globally, with strong domestic momentum and active deal environments supporting long-term growth strategies. (economymiddleeast.com)
- Some CEOs in specific countries—like Malaysia—are aggressively expanding beyond their core industries, targeting adjacent sectors such as retail, technology, and services. (PwC)
What This Means for Business Leaders
The picture PwC paints is one of cautious reinvention: CEOs recognise that uncertainty—economic, technological, and geopolitical—is the new normal. Success now depends on balancing strategic exploration with operational resilience, investing in innovation and risk mitigation, and converting transformative technologies like AI from buzzwords into bottom-line impact.
Glossary
- AI Adoption – Integrating artificial intelligence technologies (like machine learning) into business processes to improve efficiency or create new products/services.
- Cyber Risk – The potential for financial or operational loss due to cyberattacks, data breaches, or system vulnerabilities.
- Macroeconomic Volatility – Fluctuations in broad economic indicators (like GDP or inflation) that can disrupt business planning.
- Reinvention – Strategic efforts by companies to reshape business models, enter new markets, or redefine value propositions.
Source Link: https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/c-suite-insights/ceo-survey.html
