AI Gets Smart - Markets Get Sceptical: Why Execution, Not Hype, Wins in 2026
The collision point is here: AI's promise versus market limits. In Travel, hyper-personalisation is stalled by misbookings. B2B Software copilots face governance issues undermining productivity. Fintech is prioritizing viability and partnerships over unchecked growth. And in Aerospace & Defence Tech, industrial capacity, not capital, is the critical constraint. The core issue remains: Intelligence is plentiful, but the trust, capability, and sustainable business models required to operationalise it are lagging.
This dynamic is forcing a pivot across the board. The Travel booking path is dissolving into conversational AI, demanding a shift to trusted, user-centric identity. Software must evolve beyond per-seat licensing to "Results as a Service" (RaaS), driven by embedded, governed intelligence. Fintech is rapidly consolidating, with category leaders driving strategic roll-ups and demanding proven returns. For Defence Tech, the focus is strictly on building sovereign industrial capacity and certified, reliable supply chains. It's time to deliver, not just dazzle.
Discerning capital is now bypassing hype. Investors are strictly prioritizing platforms that demonstrate governed capability, defensible data moats, and transparent unit economics. We outline why narrow, supervised agents will deliver results, confirming that trust and capacity, not clever code, are the most valuable commodities. Download the complete PDF now for our expert analysis and concrete predictions on where the savvy money is chasing proven value in 2026.