AI agents to drive US$1.2 bln global spend by 2026 as firms shift from chatbots
Global spending on AI agents will rise to US$1.2 billion by 2026, up from near-zero in 2024, as companies move from chatbots to software that sets its own goals and executes workflows, ARB Berhad said in an industry…
Source: ARB Berhad · July 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM · AI-assisted report
Single-source
KUALA LUMPUR, 30 JULY 2026 —
Global spending on AI agents will rise to US$1.2 billion by 2026, up from near-zero in 2024, as companies move from chatbots to software that sets its own goals and executes workflows, ARB Berhad said in an industry report.
ARB defines AI agents as systems that plan tasks, connect to corporate software and adjust performance based on outcomes. Finance, human resources and customer service are the first departments set for automation, the consultancy added.
The report expects early adopters to cut manual workloads by up to 30% while lifting data accuracy in areas such as invoice processing and expense validation. It highlights 24/7 operation as a key advantage, creating a “perpetual workforce” that handles high-volume, low-complexity duties without overtime costs.
ARB advised companies to start with pilot projects to build internal expertise before larger deployments. It warned that governance is critical to prevent duplicated work and to ensure agents comply with data-protection rules. The consultancy did not provide a Malaysia-specific forecast, saying local data is not yet available.
Related: Intel
Malaysia Impact
Global development — watch for knock-on effects on oil prices, the ringgit, and KLCI risk sentiment.