Stagwell, the challenger network transforming marketing, has released findings from a National Research Group survey of 100 American CEOs. The study captures executive outlook on business priorities, economic resilience, AI adoption, and policy challenges as organizations prepare for 2026.
An overwhelming majority of CEOs reject bubble concerns around artificial intelligence, with 85% describing the technology as entering a sustainable growth trajectory. Generative AI secured the top spot as the most transformative advancement expected in the coming year, while 78% of leaders expressed continued optimism about its ability to drive workplace efficiency and spark innovation across functions.
Despite widespread belief that the nation is on the wrong track, three-quarters of CEOs maintain confidence in the underlying strength of the U.S. economy heading into 2026. Financial stability dominates the policy agenda, led by managing inflation, reducing national debt, and sustaining job creation.
CEOs identified regulatory and policy changes as the single greatest threat to business performance, followed closely by potential trade restrictions. Nearly half of respondents voiced pessimism regarding the stability and predictability of political leadership in the year ahead.
The survey underscores a pragmatic executive mindset: embracing AI acceleration while bracing for macroeconomic and policy headwinds that demand strategic agility.
Stagwell is the challenger holding company built to transform marketing. We deliver scaled creative performance for the world's most ambitious brands, connecting culture-moving creativity with leading-edge technology to harmonize the art and science of marketing. Led by entrepreneurs, our specialists in 45+ countries are unified under a single purpose: to drive effectiveness and improve business results for our clients.
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