Abdellah Iftahy, a senior partner at McKinsey & Company, said artificial intelligence should be part of every business decision [1].
This push for universal AI integration suggests a shift from viewing AI as a standalone tool to treating it as a core component of corporate strategy. As firms race to modernize, the ability to embed machine learning into daily operations may determine long-term viability in a volatile market.
Iftahy said this perspective in the McKinsey "Meet the Builders" video series [1]. He said the technology is no longer an optional add-on but a necessity for efficient governance and operational agility.
Other industry experts have echoed the need for structural changes to support this integration. Robert Kramer wrote on July 17, 2026, that AI requires a new enterprise operating model to embed it in daily decision-making across the company [2].
To achieve this, the Forbes Technology Council suggested on Aug. 3, 2026, that organizations should establish cross-functional AI governance committees [3]. These committees should include executive leadership, and technology specialists, to ensure the technology aligns with business goals.
However, the transition is not universal. While some analysts argue for total embedding, other industry commentary from Finextra suggests that budget constraints in sectors like banking may prevent some firms from adopting AI in every decision [4].
Despite these financial hurdles, the focus on AI utility remains high. This is reflected in the 2026 ET Most Innovative AI Product Awards, where enterprise buyers showed increased interest in the practical, day-to-day application of AI tools over their initial launch dates [5].
“AI should be part of every business decision.”
The move toward 'universal AI' in decision-making represents a transition from the experimental phase of generative AI to a structural phase. By shifting the focus toward governance committees and new operating models, corporations are attempting to mitigate the risks of fragmented implementation. The tension between this strategic ideal and the budget realities in sectors like banking indicates that the pace of AI adoption will likely be uneven across different industries.
