Enterprise AI is entering a more practical phase: organizations are no longer just asking which model to use, but how to reliably deploy AI systems that can complete multi-step work. VentureBeat’s Pulse Research survey of 101 enterprises found that agent orchestration is increasingly consolidating around major model platforms, with Anthropic’s Claude leading as the primary platform for 40% of respondents.
The biggest win is the shift toward reliability. Enterprises say they are judging AI agents by task completion and multi-step workflow management, signaling that the market is moving beyond demos and toward measurable operational value. Even though many deployed “agents” today remain chatbot-style wrappers, the survey shows companies are building the orchestration layer needed for more capable systems.
Hybrid control becomes the enterprise path
A majority of respondents expect to use a hybrid control plane by the end of 2026, combining provider-native tools with external orchestration. That approach could help companies capture the benefits of advanced model platforms while maintaining flexibility, governance, and protection against vendor lock-in.
- 40% of surveyed enterprises use Claude as their primary agent orchestration platform.
- 51% expect hybrid provider-native and external orchestration control planes by 2026.
- 34% say agent workflow tooling is their leading investment priority.
- 25% are prioritizing security and permissions enforcement.
The research highlights a healthy maturation curve for enterprise AI: ambition is ahead of current deployment, but investment is moving in the right direction. As tooling, cost controls, and governance improve, today’s early agent experiments can evolve into dependable AI workflows that save time, reduce operational friction, and expand what teams can accomplish.