Business Intelligence and AI Trends for 2026

The business world is constantly evolving, and data intelligence has ceased to be merely a competitive advantage and has become a strategic requirement. For companies that want to remain relevant, understanding Business Intelligence (BI) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) trends is essential, and Sherlok positions itself precisely as a partner in this market anticipation process.

According to a Gartner study, by 2026, more than 80% of companies that apply AI in strategic BI will have a significant competitive advantage over competitors who still rely on traditional reports. This shows that data are not just numbers: they are tools for decision-making, forecasting, and innovation.

1. Real-time BI

The future of BI lies in agility. Static dashboards and monthly reports are no longer sufficient. The trend is for all strategic decisions to be guided by real-time updated data. Companies that adopt real-time BI are able to identify emerging trends, anticipate operational bottlenecks, and react quickly to market changes.

According to Forrester, organizations that implement real-time BI increase decision-making speed by up to 50%, reducing errors and taking advantage of opportunities that would previously go unnoticed.

2. Intelligent automation and predictive insights

The next generation of BI not only presents data but also interprets and recommends actions. Tools with advanced AI allow for the identification of patterns, prediction of customer behavior, and prioritization of strategic actions.

For example, a predictive sales analysis can indicate which leads are most likely to convert, while a marketing evaluation identifies campaigns that will yield the best return on investment. According to McKinsey, companies that use predictive insights increase the effectiveness of their actions by up to 30%.

3. Data integration as the basis for decision-making

In 2026, data integration will be even more crucial. Marketing, sales, finance, and operations need to be connected in a single information ecosystem. Without this, BI runs the risk of generating beautiful dashboards that are disconnected from the reality of the business. Studies show that companies with integrated data report a 25% reduction in rework and faster, more assertive decisions. A unified view is what allows the transformation of raw data into concrete strategic actions, elevating decision-making to another level.

4. Democratization of BI and AI

Another clear trend is the democratization of access to BI and AI. Tools like Sherlok allow small and medium-sized businesses to have the same level of intelligence as large corporations, without needing giant data analysis teams.

According to a Deloitte survey, companies that democratize data and insights can increase productivity and innovation by up to 35%, because all employees, not just analysts, can make informed decisions.

5. Interactive Experiences and Actionable Intelligence

Finally, the BI of the future will be interactive and actionable. More than just presenting graphs, dashboards, or reports, it needs to provide clear recommendations and allow scenario simulations. The combination of intuitive visualization with predictive AI enables managers to explore "what would happen if..." before making critical decisions.

This approach not only increases confidence in decision-making but also accelerates the organizational learning cycle. Companies that adopt this philosophy can reduce waste and optimize strategic investments, positioning themselves ahead in the market.

Discover Sherlok!

The BI and AI trends for 2026 show that isolated data is not enough. The future lies in the integration, automation, prediction, and democratization of insights, transforming information into strategic decisions.

Sherlok was developed with this vision: to centralize data, generate predictive insights, and allow any company, large or small, to make quick and strategic decisions. Joining the waiting list today means putting yourself ahead in the race for the market intelligence of the future.

👉 Join the Sherlok waiting list and discover how to anticipate trends, integrate data, and transform intelligence into strategic action.