McKinsey: State of AI trust in 2026
Key Takeaways
- ●The maturity score for AI trust has risen, but there are still large gaps.
- ●Lack of strategy and oversight are the biggest barriers to scaling.
- ●Governance and risk management are crucial in the agentic era.
Trust is the foundation for scaling AI. McKinsey's report on "State of AI trust in 2026" shows that although companies are making progress, there are still critical flaws in their approach to governance and risk management.
Trust as a prerequisite for scaling
The survey indicates that persistent gaps in strategy and oversight prevent companies from realizing AI's full potential. In an era of autonomous agents, "responsible AI" is no longer a buzzword, but an operational necessity.
To succeed, companies must implement robust frameworks for governance, risk management, and compliance, especially in light of upcoming regulation like the EU's AI Act.
The BetterHuman AI Angle
Trust requires control. Our systems are "AI Act-ready from day one" with a full audit trail and Danish data processing, so you can scale with peace of mind and close the gaps in your governance strategy.