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As Global Capability Centres look toward 2026, the sector is undergoing its most profound strategic transformation yet. These centres are pivoting rapidly to become “innovation orchestrators,” with Artificial Intelligence, specifically Generative and Agentic AI, at the very heart of this shift.

According to recent industry data, 2026 will mark the point where GCCs transition from experimentation to enterprise scale, fundamentally redefining their operating models to become “intelligent value creators” for their parent organisations.

The Rise of the “Innovation Orchestrator”

The traditional mandate of the GCC is being rewritten. Reports indicate that centres are moving beyond transactional tasks to drive global digital transformation and build intellectual property (IP). This evolution is being fueled by a “curiosity to commercialisation” shift in Generative AI (GenAI).

Data from the EY Global Capability Center Pulse Survey 2025 reveals that 83% of GCCs are already investing in GenAI. More significantly, the focus is rapidly expanding to Agentic AI, with 58% of centres currently investing and another 29% planning to do so within a year. This aggressive adoption signals a move toward “autonomous ecosystems” where intelligent agents drive decisions and operational agility.

Digital Centres of Excellence: The New Structure

To support this high-value work, GCCs are abandoning generalist models in favor of highly focused Digital Centres of Excellence (COEs). These specialised hubs are designed to unify expertise in AI, data science, and cybersecurity.

According to ANSR, these COEs act as “sandboxes” for technological innovation, handling everything from proof of concept to final product launch. 

• AI COEs are tasked with moving beyond automation to strategic business transformation. 
• Data Science COEs are translating data into core business assets for predictive modeling. 
• Cybersecurity COEs are shifting from passive defense to proactive threat hunting.

The Talent Challenge and 2026 Workforce Trends

This technological leap is being tested by unprecedented volatility in the global talent market. For GCC leadership, the priority for 2026 is a pivot from transactional talent management to a skill-first, strategic workforce architecture.

The demand for niche skills is reshaping recruitment. Centres are doubling down on technology, transformation, and talent, with aggressive upskilling programs identified as a top scalability lever. To retain this digital talent, GCCs are adopting innovation-centric Employee Value Propositions (EVP) and hybrid work models.

But as GCCs take on these advanced roles, they face a complex web of challenges and government policies shaping the space. Rising data-privacy concerns and multi-jurisdiction compliance are pushing centres to strengthen their governance frameworks.

The regulatory landscape is driving a shift toward “zero-trust” cybersecurity practices. GCCs are now expected to act as a strategic shield, ensuring enterprise-wide digital resilience and regulatory compliance to maintain trust with customers and partners.

Outlook: The Autonomous Ecosystem

Looking ahead, the role of AI in the GCC sector is clear: it is the catalyst turning these centres into autonomous ecosystems. By 2026, the expectation is that GCCs will not just support the enterprise but will influence global strategy through end-to-end IP ownership. As these centres mature into decision-making hubs, the mandate for modern enterprises will be to develop power at the intersection of AI-driven intelligence and uncompromising security.