PegaWorld 2026: Scaling Agentic AI Faces Cost Challenges

PegaWorld 2026 revealed that scaling Agentic AI faces real challenges, particularly regarding cost. A major concern is the "AI token tax," where pricing increases with every step an AI agent takes. Organizations need predictable outcomes and pricing before they can scale these AI initiatives. Governance is also crucial, emphasizing repeatable processes, human oversight, and auditable decision-making over flashy demonstrations. Successful AI deployments often require reworking business processes first, and modernizing legacy systems is critical for realizing AI's full value. Pega's approach aims to make AI simpler, not more complicated, by front-loading heavy AI reasoning during workflow design. This focus on practical, cost-effective deployment is key for businesses looking to integrate AI responsibly.