Decision Intelligence: the new engine of competitiveness
Decision Intelligence (DI) is establishing itself as one of the fundamental pillars for dealing with growing organisational complexity. In 2026, it ceases to be an emerging concept and consolidates itself as a critical factor for competitiveness, driven by three central trends.
Three trends that will shape Decision Intelligence
AI as cognitive support for decision-making
First, we will see an increasingly practical fusion between Generative Artificial Intelligence and Decision Models. AI will act as a cognitive co-pilot, transforming static analysis into dynamic narrative simulations.
AI does not decide for us, it helps us decide better
The decision-maker will be able to ask, ‘Show me three possible scenarios if we invest in this technology,’ and receive coherent stories that help them understand the implications through accessible explanations.
Natural language interaction will facilitate the initial structuring of problems, while always maintaining human validation as a central element.
Transparency, ethics and accountability
The second trend is the institutionalisation of ethics and governance. With critical decisions increasingly supported by AI platforms, transparency will be a non-negotiable requirement.
Platforms will integrate automated auditing tools to detect discriminatory deviations and ‘ethical impact dashboards’ that visualise, in advance, the consequences of a choice for different groups.
Every important decision will have an immutable record of its reasoning, allowing for clear auditing and accountability.
The hybrid decision-maker and the culture of experimentation
Finally, the figure of the ‘Hybrid Decision-Maker’ and the culture of experimentation will become established. The professional of 2026 will combine a deep knowledge of their field with the literacy necessary to collaborate with AI systems.
Deciding is experimenting before implementing
Their main function will be to ask the right questions and interpret the results in light of the human context.
At the same time, digital simulation of decisions, testing thousands of variants in a ‘digital twin’ of the problem, will make experimentation a standard step before any strategic implementation.
A compass for an uncertain world
In conclusion, 2026 will be the year when AI goes from optional to indispensable. Its value lies not in pure automation, but in amplifying collective human intelligence.
It offers a compass – built with data, modelled with logic and guided by ethics – for wiser and more resilient decisions.
In a world of uncertainty, those who decide better, with clarity and responsibility, will lead