Scaled Agile Charts Path to 'AI-Native' Enterprise Transformation

BOULDER, Colo. – March 05, 2026 – Scaled Agile, Inc. (SAI), the organization behind the widely adopted SAFe® business agility framework, is signaling a significant strategic evolution by centering its upcoming annual summit on the fusion of Agile and Artificial Intelligence. The SAFe® & AI Summit, scheduled for March 23-27 in Amsterdam, will see the company move beyond its traditional focus on agile excellence to champion a new vision: guiding large enterprises on the complex journey to becoming truly "AI-Native."

The event will also serve as the launch platform for a major new research report, "The Economic Reality of AI in 2026: High Value and What's Actually Driving It," promising data-backed answers for executives grappling with the tangible returns on their massive AI investments.

The 'AI-Native' Imperative

The term "AI-Native" represents a fundamental shift beyond simply using AI tools. According to Scaled Agile's vision, it describes an organization where AI is not an add-on but is woven into the very fabric of the business model, operations, and culture. This differs significantly from "AI-added" approaches, where intelligence capabilities are often bolted onto legacy systems without redesigning the underlying work processes.

An AI-Native enterprise is characterized by an AI-first approach to decision-making, a culture deeply rooted in data, and an agile infrastructure built to support AI workloads. It involves embedding intelligence directly into workflows and systems, often with AI agents acting as core architectural components. This requires a complete reimagining of how value is delivered, moving from fragmented AI experiments to a systemic, organization-wide transformation. This pivot is critical as industry analysts note that while many companies are experimenting with AI, few have successfully scaled it to generate consistent, enterprise-wide value, often due to a lack of a clear strategic framework and the necessary organizational changes.

Unveiling the Economic Reality of AI

At the heart of the Amsterdam summit lies the debut of SAI's new research. Based on a survey of over 1,000 global executives, "The Economic Reality of AI in 2026" aims to cut through the hype and provide a clear-eyed look at what truly drives business value from AI adoption. The report is poised to deliver critical insights into how leading organizations measure, manage, and maximize AI's impact.

For many business leaders, quantifying the return on investment for AI has been a persistent challenge. The research promises to highlight the key metrics and criteria that leaders can use to define success, identify failure, and know when to pivot from small-scale experimentation to a genuine AI-native operating model. This focus on economic reality and tangible ROI is particularly timely. As enterprises move past initial generative AI enthusiasm, the pressure is mounting to justify continued investment with measurable results, shifting from generic models to domain-specific solutions that deliver demonstrable accuracy and value. The report aims to provide the data-driven justification needed for these strategic decisions.

From Theory to Practice: A Global Case Study

Translating this AI-Native vision into practice requires more than just technology; it demands a profound shift in skills, processes, and culture. Recognizing this, Scaled Agile is leveraging its global community of over two million trained professionals to lead the charge. The summit will feature immersive tracks and optional post-conference training designed to equip practitioners with the tools to move beyond theory and operationalize AI responsibly within their organizations.

A headline customer keynote will be delivered by business and IT transformation leaders from Volkswagen Group, offering a compelling real-world example of this journey. The automotive giant is in the midst of a massive transformation, guided by its "NEW AUTO" strategy, to become a software-driven mobility provider. A central pillar of this effort is CARIAD, the company's dedicated software unit tasked with building a unified software platform for all its brands. Volkswagen has adopted the SAFe framework to manage the immense complexity of this large-scale agile transformation. Their keynote will provide a firsthand account of how the company is evolving its vast IT organization into a product-driven technology enterprise, scaling agile practices and integrating AI to power the next generation of autonomous and connected vehicles.

A Convergence of Experts

The summit's agenda reflects a multi-faceted approach to the AI challenge, bringing together methodologists, community leaders, industry practitioners, and external thought leaders. Andrew Sales, Scaled Agile's Chief Methodologist and Chief Product Officer, will deliver a keynote on how AI-Empowered SAFe represents the next evolution of agility. Tamara Nation, Head of the SAFe Community, will discuss how the collective intelligence of its global network creates a competitive advantage in the AI era.

Rounding out the program are acclaimed AI author and strategist Alison McCauley, who will provide insights on AI strategy and enterprise transformation with a focus on its human implications, and AI expert James Taylor, who will serve as Master of Ceremonies. This diverse roster of speakers underscores the event's core message: successful AI adoption is not just a technical problem but a strategic, organizational, and human challenge.

"The correlation between Agile maturity and AI readiness is indisputable," said Andrew Sales, chief methodologist and chief product officer at SAI. "The SAFe® & AI Summit will give organizations the tangible, outcome-focused guidance they need to move beyond AI tools and tactics to achieve significant ROI from intelligent AI usage across the enterprise." This statement encapsulates the summit's ambition to provide a clear, actionable roadmap for businesses navigating the complex but crucial transition into an AI-powered future.