Gartner: Over 40% of Agentic AI Projects Will Be Killed by End-2027
Gartner forecasts that more than 40% of agentic AI projects currently underway will be cancelled by the end of 2027. The three cited failure drivers are cost overruns, unclear business value, and inadequate risk controls. Covered by Nate B. Jones. The dominant failure mode: buyers bundle 6–8 distinct workflows into a single RFP and receive a tool that handles one mediocrely. The load-bearing design rule: "Do not automate what you cannot describe."
Why It Matters
The 40% failure rate is a direct consequence of model-first purchasing replacing workflow-first thinking. Enterprises that invest in workflow mapping and risk definition before vendor selection will disproportionately be among the 60% that survive the attrition cycle.