DXC Study: DACH Companies Demand AI Control Despite Growing Autonomy

DXC Technology has published the "DXC Digital Future Monitor 2026," for which 300 experts and executives in the DACH region were surveyed. The study reveals a strategic paradox: while 80 percent of companies insist that humans must always make the final decision in new AI processes, 58 percent consider it likely that AI systems will independently make far-reaching business decisions in the future.

Virtual Agents and Compliance Risks
According to the study, the transformation of the workplace is already well underway. 71 percent of respondents expect a rapid surge in virtual AI agents over the next three years, and 74 percent view human-AI teams as a prerequisite for future business success. At the same time, 66 percent of companies report that opaque AI decisions have already generated new compliance burdens. Ramsés Gallego, Chief Technologist Cybersecurity at DXC, warns against granting AI systems more decision-making leeway without prior governance structures—consisting of clear guidelines, technical safeguards, and human oversight.

Additional Context: Technological Background and Market Dynamics
This section provides technological and strategic background not explicitly detailed in the original release.

With the influx of generative AI and autonomous agents (known as AI agents) into enterprise processes, the gap between technological feasibility and regulatory control is widening. Many companies are increasingly struggling with "shadow AI"—the unregulated and often unnoticed use of AI tools by employees, which carries substantial security and data protection risks. Furthermore, new legislative frameworks, such as the European AI Act, compel companies in the DACH region to demonstrate transparent, fair, and traceable AI systems. A proactive and robust governance strategy is therefore not just an ethical necessity, but a business-critical factor to avoid legal consequences.

Edited by Lekshman Ramdas, Induportals editor – adapted by AI.

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