AI Solution Providers Pivot from Features to Execution Orchestration — The Hackett Group, Inc.

Event summary

The Hackett Group's 2026 research shows AI is now embedded across procurement, finance, and HCM solutions but remains focused on assistive automation rather than autonomous execution.
64% of providers extend SaaS applications with embedded AI capabilities, while only 36% offer fully agentic, AI-native solutions.
74% of providers have deployed basic AI agents like copilots, but advanced capabilities such as multi-agent orchestration are still in pilot stages.
86% of providers rely on third-party AI models via APIs, highlighting the importance of ecosystem integration.

The big picture

AI solution providers are shifting from offering standalone AI features to embedding AI as an execution layer within enterprise applications. This strategic pivot aims to enable AI to coordinate, execute, and optimize end-to-end business processes, moving beyond incremental task automation. The transition is constrained by existing enterprise architectures and the need for better governance, workforce enablement, and strategic alignment.

What we're watching

Execution Orchestration: How providers will transition from task automation to end-to-end process execution across enterprise environments.
Enterprise Readiness: Whether organizations can address governance and operational challenges to effectively scale AI capabilities.
Ecosystem Integration: The pace at which providers will develop seamless coordination, integration, and execution across enterprise systems through platform partnerships.