[KPMG Survey: Nearly Half of Executives Scale Back AI Agent Deployment Due to Costs Exceeding Benefits] According to Forbes, a survey by KPMG reveals that nearly half of executives have delayed or scaled back the deployment of AI agents due to costs outweighing benefits. KPMG's Global AI Pulse Survey for the second quarter of 2026 interviewed 2,145 corporate executives from 20 countries/regions with annual revenues exceeding $50 million. The survey found that 49% of executives stated they had reduced AI agent deployment because operational costs exceeded benefits. AI remains the top investment priority for 79% of executives, up from 74% in the previous quarter, with average AI spending holding steady at $188 million. The proportion of organizations integrating AI into daily operations jumped from 13% in the first quarter to 22%.