Nearly half of executives said they have delayed or reduced AI agent deployments because operating costs exceeded benefits, adding to KPMG's earlier finding that only 7% of senior leaders can prove a positive return on AI spending. KPMG's Global AI Pulse for Q2 2026 surveyed 2,145 C-suite and senior business leaders at organizations with more than $50 million in annual revenue across 20 countries. AI remained a top investment priority for 79% of respondents, up from 74% in the prior quarter, while average AI spending held at $188 million per company. At the same time, 49% said they had scaled back AI agent deployments due to an unfavorable cost-benefit balance. The share of organizations treating AI as part of everyday work rose from 13% in Q1 to 22% in Q2, suggesting adoption is broadening even as companies become more selective about where agent-based tools can justify their operating expense.