Sloan

• U.S. businesses are increasingly shifting from American AI models to Chinese open-weight alternatives due to rising token costs and financial pressures. • This trend is evidenced by the rapid adoption of Z.ai’s GLM 5.2, which became the fastest-adopted model on its platform in 2026. • Within its first full week of launch, GLM 5.2 saw a 27-fold increase in daily token volume and an 80% growth in its customer base.

• Organizations shifted their focus in Q1 2026 from simply pursuing AI scale to prioritizing AI execution and operational readiness. • The primary challenge has evolved into whether companies possess the specific tools and skills required to scale AI technologies successfully. • This shift matters because leaders are now concerned with maintaining agility, security, and operational independence over the next five to ten years.