Earlier today, Capgemini Group’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Aiman Ezzat, said that enterprises seeking to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into their workflows must first modernise decades-old technology systems.
According to Ezzat, this would drive a “multi-year investment cycle in data, software and infrastructure.”
These remarks come following Capgemini’s recent announcement of an upgraded 2026 revenue growth target.
The AI consulting giant reported €12,1 million revenue in the first-half of 2026, with a year-on-year growth of 8.8 per cent.
Excluding currency effects, revenue rose 11.3 per cent, supported by strong organic growth and contributions from the WNS and Cloud4C acquisitions completed in late 2025.
Capgemini raised its full-year 2026 revenue growth target to 8.5 per cent – 9.0 per cent at constant exchange rates because of strong bookings and AI-driven demand, Reuters reported.
Ezzat told analysts, according to Reuters, that the biggest obstacle to wider AI adoption was not access to models, but legacy systems, fragmented data and complex technology estates built up over decades.
"Every organisation today wants to become agentic," the group's CEO stated, alluding to AI systems designed to perform multi-step tasks. "But before they can become agentic, they must become AI-ready, and most are not."
AI Ops: Capgemini ‘Multi-Year Modernisation Supercycle’ Reaps Results
Capgemini witnessed a “multi-year modernisation supercycle” after implementing the necessary updates to the foundations required to support AI in operations. Operations also include data platforms, applications and core infrastructure.
The French MNC’s operating profit as a result of the upgrades rose by 9.3 per cent to a whopping €1.5 billion. Additionally, its operating margin improved slightly to 12.5 per cent in 2026 from 12.4 per cent a year earlier.
Profitability also improved in North America but was weak in continental Europe. However, cost-cutting measures introduced earlier this year are expected to deliver greater benefits in the second half of 2026.
Ezzat noted that many businesses were constrained by years of accumulated technical debt, leaving data scattered across incompatible systems and making it difficult for AI tools to access reliable information or execute tasks across an organisation.
He further added that generative AI may be beneficial in terms of producing answers, but these systems often struggle to perform business processes consistently when underlying systems remain disconnected.
“AI is not only creating demand for new business capability; it's also accelerating the modernisation of the technology foundation on which those capabilities depend," the Capgemini leader said.
While enterprises are willing to invest in AI, Ezzat says that spending is becoming the target. Clients seem to be increasingly prioritising large-scale transformation programmes over standalone experiments and pilot projects.
Also Watch: Can AI Modernise Legacy Systems? What Leaders Need to Know
When SOCs Turn Autonomous
AI-led triage and response are redefining SOC work, shifting analysts toward judgement, governance and business-aligned risk decisions.
Physical AI is the Next Frontier
In the official statement, Ezzat said that Capgemini’s first-half performance demonstrates that the strategy outlined at the company’s Capital Markets Day is delivering results.
“We achieved solid growth, slightly ahead of expectations, while continuing to outperform the market. Growth strengthened across geographies, with particularly strong momentum in North America, the UK and APAC, and a return to growth in France.”
He believes that Physical AI is the next frontier of enterprise transformation and Capgemini is now recognised by industry analysts as a leader in that domain.
“Following the integration of WNS, our new Intelligent Business Operations business line is already generating significant commercial traction.”
Capgemini has significantly expanded its pipeline after reflecting client demand for AI-powered transformation of business operations at scale, with several large deals secured in recent months.
“We are ideally positioned to benefit from accelerating investments in technology sovereignty, defence and security, particularly in Europe, where these themes are becoming strategic priorities,” Ezzat added.
Comments ( 0 )