Trends in AI-Driven Digital Commerce and Privacy for 2026 Analyzed in New Report
The study, based on insights from over 700 global IT leaders, emphasizes the need for adaptive AI governance and highlights challenges such as data sovereignty, with 72% of responde… According to the findings, 14.41% of retail users encountered web threats, while 22.20% faced on-device threats. Retail companies have not been immune, with 8.25% experiencing ransomware attacks.
A new report by the Info-Tech Research Group sheds light on the evolving landscape of AI-driven digital commerce and privacy trends projected for 2026. The report is based on insights gathered from over 700 global IT leaders and focuses on adaptive AI governance and agentic automation, identifying several challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Growing Cybersecurity Concerns in Retail
The report highlights a significant rise in cybersecurity threats faced by retail users and companies. According to the findings, 14.41% of retail users encountered web threats, while 22.20% faced on-device threats. Retail companies have not been immune, with 8.25% experiencing ransomware attacks. Notably, there has been a 152% surge in B2B ransomware detections, underscoring the increased vulnerability of businesses in the digital commerce sector.
Phishing attacks also remain a persistent issue, with 6.7 million incidents identified. Alarmingly, 50.58% of these phishing attacks specifically targeted online stores, highlighting the constant threat to e-commerce platforms. The prevalence of phishing in online purchasing continues to pose significant risks to both consumers and retailers.
AI and Its Role in Digital Commerce
The integration of AI into digital commerce is poised to transform the shopping experience. Chatbots are expected to become a common tool for product discovery, and AI shopping assistants are anticipated to operate independently of retail platforms. However, the rise of image-based search technologies introduces new privacy risks that need to be addressed.
The Info-Tech Research Group's report emphasizes the importance of foundational AI principles in guiding enterprise success. Emerging trends such as vibe coding, sovereign AI, and agentic automation are expected to redefine how organizations approach digital commerce. Moving beyond mere experimentation, companies are now focusing on governance, with a strong emphasis on risk management integration as a crucial element of their strategy.
The Imperative of AI Governance and Risk Management
AI governance has moved to the forefront as organizations recognize its role in unlocking value and ensuring responsible innovation. The report reveals that 68% of respondents view AI risk governance as a top priority, while 72% cite data sovereignty as a major challenge. The introduction of the EU AI Act has prompted organizations to conduct earlier risk assessments, recognizing that compliance is a continuous operational function.
To maintain a competitive advantage, ethical design and accountability are deemed essential. AI governance is viewed not just as a regulatory requirement but as an enabler that can unlock significant business value. Human oversight remains critical in AI systems to ensure accuracy and accountability, reinforcing the notion that AI assists but does not replace human expertise.
Adapting to an AI-First Environment
As organizations transition to AI-first management, professionals are adapting to new dynamics where control over campaigns has changed significantly. The report stresses the importance of clear business objectives and high-quality conversion data in driving successful AI initiatives. First-party data collection is also highlighted as essential for maintaining data quality and ensuring effective prompting in AI systems.
The hybrid workflow model, where AI is used for generating ideas and humans for approving them, is becoming the norm. This approach ensures that AI-driven strategies are aligned with overarching business goals and ethical standards. The report concludes by reiterating that while AI offers new capabilities, human involvement remains indispensable in overseeing and guiding AI-driven processes.
In summary, the 2026 outlook for AI-driven digital commerce and privacy presents both challenges and opportunities. Organizations that prioritize adaptive AI governance, ethical design, and risk management are likely to navigate this landscape successfully, leveraging AI as a strategic enabler rather than just a technological feature.