AI Demands New Platform Playbook

For decades, enterprise platforms were the backbone of business operations. Now, the rise of agentic AI is forcing a radical rethink. This new wave of AI, capable of dynamic orchestration and real-time work, demands a new playbook. According to Accenture Insights (AI & Tech), failing to adapt means missing out on substantial gains: companies aligning AI, platforms, and business strategies see 2.2x revenue growth and a 37% EBITDA lift.

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Companies working on this

Profiles of the companies named in this story, with funding and a one-liner from our database.

Microsoft

A global technology leader providing software, cloud services, AI, and devices for individuals and businesses.

Adecco

Global talent and technology advisory company providing workforce solutions and talent development.

Lenovo

A global technology company specializing in PCs, smartphones, and other electronic devices.

Microsoft Copilot

Microsoft's AI-powered assistant integrated across its products for enhanced productivity and creativity.

The imperative is clear: 94% of leaders anticipate significant change, with 57% calling for reinvention. Agentic AI acts as a new orchestration layer, seamlessly connecting systems and driving outcomes. Consider Lenovo's use of Adobe Experience Platform and Microsoft Copilot, which yielded $11 million in savings and a 12.5% click-through rate increase.

The Shifting Landscape

Traditional platforms, often viewed as mere efficiency engines, are no longer sufficient. Three key forces are reshaping platform strategy: agentic AI as the primary interface, rising business expectations for agility, and persistent strategic misalignment between AI, business, and platform initiatives.

This misalignment often prevents AI pilot projects from scaling effectively.

Five Priorities for the AI-First Era

Building an AI-ready platform strategy requires a forward-looking, integrated approach. Accenture outlines five critical priorities:

• Architect for the future: Design an enterprise architecture that clearly defines where AI resides, how it connects to platforms, its data access, and governance.
• Design a fit-for-purpose foundation: Modernize the digital core to unify platforms, processes, and data clouds, ensuring real-time visibility and scale. Without this, AI risks creating new silos. This modernization requires a formal platform strategy, a gap many companies still face.
• Articulate interplay: Clearly define the distinct roles of platforms, humans, and AI agents to optimize collaboration.
• Prepare for reinvention: Rethink operating models, work structures, and human roles. Adecco, for instance, leveraged Salesforce Agentforce to process millions of resumes, freeing recruiters for higher-value human interaction. This aligns with the need for Talent Reinvention: AI's Human Touch.
• Transform culture: Overcome resistance to AI adoption through transparency, employee reskilling, and modeling new ways of working. Cultural transformation is often the most significant unlock for scaling AI initiatives.

The future of enterprise platforms lies in aligning AI, platforms, and business strategy with unprecedented speed. Companies that re-architect intentionally, empower their people, and embed intelligence at their core will not just adapt, they will lead.