AI Becomes Boardroom Priority for Family Businesses, Deloitte Report Finds
More than half of respondents said they already have a fully integrated technology strategy aligned with business goals, while another 41% are in the process of implementing one.
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Family businesses worldwide are moving from fragmented digital efforts to more structured, enterprise-wide technology strategies, with artificial intelligence (AI) becoming a core business capability rather than a future bet, according to a new Deloitte report.
The report, titled ‘Family Business Insights Series: Family Business Technology Transformation, 2026,’ is based on a survey of 1,587 family businesses with at least $100 million in annual revenue across 35 countries, along with interviews with 30 senior executives.
“Family businesses increasingly recognize that AI is no longer experimental but a requirement to how they compete, operate, and grow,” Yali Yin, Deloitte Private leader for Asia Pacific, said. “Many are still moving from ad hoc digital initiatives toward more structured, enterprise-wide strategies. How leaders choose to adopt and scale AI today can directly influence near-term performance and long-term competitiveness, especially at a time when the pace of technological change leaves little room for hesitation.”
More than half (52%) of respondents said they already have a fully integrated technology strategy aligned with business goals, while another 41% are in the process of implementing one. AI adoption, in particular, has reached significant scale, with 86% of surveyed firms saying they were either actively using AI across many parts of the business or deploying it selectively in certain functions.
The most common AI uses were practical rather than experimental. Respondents cited process efficiency at 40%, risk mitigation at 39% and customer relationship management at 39% as the leading applications, with customer experience and engagement close behind at 38%.
For many family businesses, these investments are delivering tangible returns. A majority reported improvements in productivity (68%), efficiency (67%), competitiveness (65%), risk management (65%), and decision-making (65%).
Employee sentiment also appears positive. About 94% of respondents said technology has simplified tasks and improved working environments, either to a large (63%) or moderate (31%) extent.
However, the report points to an uneven pace of digital maturity. While 52% believe they are sufficiently invested in technology for current and future needs, nearly half (48%) say their investments fall short.
A significant portion of businesses remain in transition: 37% describe their digital investment level as moderate, while 11% report minimal progress. This suggests that many are still moving from siloed initiatives toward more integrated, enterprise-wide systems.
Despite high adoption levels, concerns about keeping up with rapid technological change persist. Globally, 51% of respondents view inadequate technology adoption as a moderate or high risk to growth over the next 12 to 24 months.
This concern cuts across regions, with North America (53%), Asia Pacific (50%), and Europe (47%) all flagging technology gaps as a significant risk factor.
The findings indicate that while AI adoption is widespread, execution and scaling remain key challenges, especially for legacy-heavy, multi-generational businesses.
Nearly half (44%) of respondents said they were actively using AI across multiple areas of their business, while 42% were deploying it in select functions. Only 2% said they were neither using nor exploring AI at all.
“Family businesses often take a long-term view, and technology is now firmly part of that legacy conversation,” said Rebecca Gooch, global head of insights at Deloitte Private. “The choices leaders make today around AI and digital transformation can influence not just immediate performance, but the kind of business they ultimately hand over to the next generation.”
