Looking ahead: How TMT leaders are turning momentum into measurable growth

TMT leaders are entering the second half of 2026 with strong momentum and a clear sense of direction. The latest findings from the 2026 C-suite Barometer global mid-year insights  shows that 92% of C-suite global leaders remain positive about growth prospects, underlining a continued appetite to invest and expand despite a more complex operating environment.

At the same time, the data reflects a subtle shift in how leaders are navigating that environment. Confidence in managing major external trends has softened to 35%, while economic conditions, artificial intelligence and energy pressures are now the most impactful forces shaping business decisions. Rather than slowing progress, this is prompting a more deliberate and diversified approach to growth.

For the Technology, Media and Telecommunications (TMT) sector, that shift is playing out in a distinctive way. As Nathan Reay, UK Head of TMT at Forvis Mazars, explains, “From a TMT perspective, confidence remains firmly in line with where it stood at the start of the year. If you look at deal activity alone, the market is exceptionally active, with significant growth in global deal value over the past two years.

AI enters its returns era

Across the global survey; AI is firmly moving from ambition to impact. Sixty-three percent of C-suite leaders report measurable returns of up to 10% from their AI investments. TMT businesses are leading this shift, with 28% already reporting productivity gains above 10%.

This reflects the dual role AI plays in the sector. As Reay notes, TMT organisations are not only adopting AI, but they are also building and delivering it: “Many of the companies driving AI innovation sit within TMT itself. That creates both opportunity and responsibility – they are shaping the market while also transforming their own operations.”

The focus is no longer simply on efficiency. Leaders are increasingly exploring how AI can unlock new revenue streams, enhance customer engagement, and reshape go-to-market strategies. “The key question is not just how AI improves what you already do,” Reay adds. “It is how it helps you grow into new areas and fundamentally expand the business.”

Diversification becomes a growth strategy

A defining theme of the C-suite mid-year insights is the rise of diversification as a core strategic response to uncertainty. Fifty-seven percent of global leaders report actively diversifying resources in response to geopolitical and economic shifts, while investment remains strong, with 62% of leaders continuing to increase spend across key areas.

In TMT, this diversification is closely tied to innovation and deal activity. Businesses are pursuing new capabilities through acquisitions and partnerships, often without being constrained by geography.

This approach is also evident in how global leaders are responding to competitive pressure. The sector is balancing growth ambitions with operational resilience, ensuring that new investments translate into sustainable advantage.

Global ambition remains undimmed

International growth continues to be a central pillar of TMT strategy. Globally, 73% of executives rate international market conditions as favourable for growth, only slightly behind domestic markets. This reflects a continued willingness to pursue cross-border opportunities even in a fragmented geopolitical landscape.

Reay points to a particularly strong appetite for global expansion within TMT: “Businesses are focused on where the best opportunities are, not necessarily restricted by geography. We’re seeing increasing openness to global investment plays, particularly from investors who historically focused on single markets.”

This mindset reinforces the sector’s position as one of the most outward-looking and fast-moving parts of the global economy, where scaling internationally is often integral to maintaining a competitive edge.

Data, content and competitive advantage

While AI dominates the agenda, it is only part of a broader transformation. The C-suite mid-year insights and our conversations with TMT clients alike point to data infrastructure and security as critical enablers of growth, alongside the evolving role of content, particularly in media.

Reay emphasises the convergence across technology, media and telecommunications: “If you look at where the sector is heading, there are three key pillars – AI, data and content. They are increasingly interconnected, and success depends on how well organisations bring them together.”

This is particularly visible in media, where shifting consumption habits are driving new models of content creation and distribution. Organisations are rethinking how they engage audiences, using data and AI to personalise experiences and unlock new commercial opportunities.

Building resilience while scaling growth

Despite strong optimism, the need for resilience remains a constant theme. Rising costs, supply chain pressures, and evolving competitive dynamics are prompting organisations to adapt their operating models. 57% of global leaders report that their company will be managing cost increases by passing them onto customers, while others plan to absorb most, or all, of the increased costs.

In TMT, resilience is increasingly tied to the ability to anticipate disruption, particularly from AI itself. As Reay observes, “Businesses are actively testing whether their models are robust enough to withstand AI-driven disruption. There is a clear focus on protecting revenue streams while continuing to innovate.”

Talent remains another critical factor. While AI is creating new opportunities, it is also intensifying competition for specialist skills. Organisations that can attract, develop and retain the right capabilities will be better positioned to execute their strategies at pace.

Looking ahead: from momentum to transformation

The trajectory for TMT is clear. The sector enters the second half of 2026 with momentum, but also with greater discipline in how growth is pursued. AI is moving from possibility to performance. Data and security are becoming core competitive assets. And international ambition remains firmly in place.

What sets leading organisations apart now is not just confidence, but clarity — a sharper understanding of where to invest, how to scale, and how to translate innovation into measurable outcomes.

The opportunity for TMT leaders is to use this moment not just to optimise, but to transform to build bigger, more dynamic businesses that are ready for what comes next. The challenge is no longer whether to act, but how quickly they can turn momentum into sustained advantage.

Key takeaways

• 92% of C-suite executives globally remain positive about growth, despite increased complexity.
• AI delivers measurable returns, with 63% reporting productivity gains and TMT leading with the strongest results.
• Diversification has become a central strategy, with 57% of organisations reshaping resources and operations.
• International expansion remains a priority, with 73% viewing global market conditions favourably.
• TMT’s future is being shaped by the convergence of AI, data and content, alongside ongoing talent challenges.