Packed Room Welcomes Comte Louis-Michel Liger-Belair for Historic Bicentennial Offering

Comte Liger-Belair and the Chairman Galvanize Hong Kong

HONG KONG and SINGAPORE, June 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Acker capped a remarkable spring in Asia with a magnificent HK$47 million (US$6M) sale in Hong Kong on Saturday, June 6, setting 86 New World Records before one of the most packed rooms the firm has seen in years, with seats added just to accommodate the excessive turnout. The atmosphere was electric from the opening lot, with Burgundy and Bordeaux both drawing extremely competitive bidding throughout the session. The sale featured two headline offerings: a direct-from-the-Domaine consignment from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair celebrating two centuries of La Romanée as a single family-owned Monopole, and more than 500 lots from the immaculate private cellar of The Chairman, a sweeping survey of Bordeaux spanning nearly a century. Highlights from 1945, 1961, 1982 and many other great vintages across the great Châteaux confirmed that aged Bordeaux with outstanding provenance has never been more coveted.

The auction was the culmination of a week-long Bicentennial celebration of La Romanée as a single family-owned Monopole. Comte Louis-Michel Liger-Belair, the 7th Comte in the family's storied history, traveled to Hong Kong with his son Vicomte Henry, who is poised to become the 8th, for a series of exclusive events on June 4th and 5th preceding the sale. The festivities included an extraordinary tasting of the La Romanée vertical spanning fifty vintages, drawing top collectors and generating exceptional anticipation heading into auction day.

The Top Ten Lots reflected the dual strength of Burgundy and Bordeaux that defined the day. Taking first place at HK$1,900,000 (US$242,656) was a full barrel of 2023 Vosne-Romanée from Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, a singular opportunity never before offered publicly. Second place went to twelve bottles of 1945 Mouton Rothschild at HK$1,600,000 (US$204,342), with an extraordinary, complete 22-bottle La Romanée vertical (2002-2023) from Comte Liger-Belair claiming third at HK$1,000,000 (US$127,714). A Methuselah of 2001 DRC Montrachet took fourth place at HK$700,000 (US$89,400). A three-way tie for fifth at HK$550,000 (US$70,243) featured twelve bottles of 1945 Latour from The Ancient Noble Latour Collection in OWC, a Jeroboam of 1961 Latour released directly from the Chateau in OWC, and twelve bottles of 1961 Palmer. A comprehensive 2023 horizontal of every wine produced by Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair, including 19 bottles and 2 magnums, finished eighth, capturing HK$425,000 (US$54,278). Eight bottles of 1945 Latour followed in ninth place at HK$375,000 (US$47,893), and a tie for tenth at HK$350,000 (US$44,700) was shared by twelve bottles of 1961 Haut Brion and three bottles of 1999 DRC La Tache.

Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair's 34-lot direct-from-the-Domaine consignment set New World Records on two-thirds of eligible lots, with sixteen overall records across the offering. While the aforementioned La Romanée vertical and 2023 Vosne-Romanée barrel headlined the overall sales, New World Record-Setting highlights also included two rare Jeroboams: the 2016 La Romanée at HK$275,000 (US$35,121) and the 2006 Vosne-Romanée Aux Brulees at HK$130,000 (US$16,603). In addition, six bottles of 2016 Echezeaux achieved HK$150,000 (US$19,157), three bottles of 2010 Echezeaux went for HK$100,000 (US$12,771), three bottles of 2023 Grands Echezeaux commanded HK$90,000 (US$11,494), and six bottles of 2016 La Colombiere brought in HK$85,000 (US$10,856). Record-setting magnums of Aux Brulees (2016 and 2019) and Les Petits Monts (2009) each garnered HK$70,000 (US$8,940), while magnums of 2023 from Aux Malconsorts (HK$65,000 (US$8,301)) and (2023 Aux Reas HK$60,000 (US$7,663)) also achieved new heights. The aforementioned complete 2023 horizontal, showcasing the Domaine's full range of appellations, rounded out the highlights at HK$425,000 (US$54,278).

"This has been one of the most amazing months of fine and rare wine auctions I have seen in over thirty years of doing this! To have four auctions in four of the world's greatest cities in less than a month was an extraordinary effort, but the extraordinary results have made every bit of it worthwhile," gushed Acker Chairman John Kapon. "Welcoming Comte Louis-Michel Liger-Belair and his son Henry to Hong Kong to celebrate 200 years of La Romanée as a single-owned, family Monopole was something very special, especially given Acker's own 200+ year history. There aren't too many that can fit in that peer group! And The Chairman's immaculate collection proved once again that aged Bordeaux with outstanding provenance has never been more coveted. We have now done a significant $26 million in auction sales over the past month, and the first half isn't even over yet—our June 26th U.S. auction featuring spectacular collections from two distinguished European restaurants is going to be another can't-miss affair, which you'll be hearing more about very soon!"

Acker's 2026 auction season continues with a U.S. auction on June 26th, where two exceptional restaurant collections will take center stage. Consignments are now being accepted for Fall auctions, while weekly web auction deadlines remain every Friday.

Highlights from the June Hong Kong Auction
LOT	QTY	WINE	PRICE (HKD)	PRICE (USD)
18	1 D. Mag	1990 Chateau Angelus in OWC	$32,500	$4,151
51	1 Btl	1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc	$150,000	$19,157
54	6 Mags	1982 Chateau Cheval Blanc in OWC	$180,000	$22,989
63	6 Mags	1990 Chateau Cheval Blanc in OWC	$180,000	$22,989
135	12 Btls	1961 Chateau Haut Brion in OWC	$350,000	$44,700
137	2 Mags	1961 Chateau Haut Brion	$225,000	$28,736
142	6 Mags	1989 Chateau Haut Brion	$250,000	$31,928
143	1 Imp	1989 Chateau Haut Brion in OWC	$170,000	$21,711
167	6 Mags	1990 Chateau L'Evangile in OWC	$50,000	$6,386
170	1 Imp	2000 Chateau L'Evangile	$32,500	$4,151
186	4 Btls	1959 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion	$170,000	$21,711
187	1 Mag	1959 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion	$100,000	$12,771
188	6 Btls	1961 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion	$325,000	$41,507
189	1 Mag	1961 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion	$130,000	$16,603
194	12 Btls	1989 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion in OWC	$140,000	$17,880
197	1 D. Mag	1989 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion in OWC	$80,000	$10,217
231	1 Mag	1959 Chateau Lafite Rothschild	$130,000	$16,603
232	1 D. Mag	1959 Chateau Lafite Rothschild in OWC	$300,000	$38,314
241	1 D. Mag	1986 Chateau Lafite Rothschild in OWC	$45,000	$5,747
261	12 Btls	2005 Chateau Lafleur in banded OWC	$160,000	$20,434
278	12 Btls	1945 Chateau Latour in OWC	$550,000	$70,243
279	6 Btls	1945 Chateau Latour	$200,000	$25,543
281	2 Mags	1959 Chateau Latour	$225,000	$28,736
283	1 Mag	1961 Chateau Latour in OWC	$170,000	$21,711
284	1 Jero	1961 Chateau Latour in OWC	$550,000	$70,243
287	12 Btls	1982 Chateau Latour in OWC	$190,000	$24,266
293	1 Imp	1982 Chateau Latour in OWC	$170,000	$21,711
299	3 D. Mag	1990 Chateau Latour in OWC	$120,000	$15,326
307	6 Btls	2001 Chateau Le Pin	$200,000	$25,543
325	1 D. Mag	1983 Chateau Margaux	$35,000	$4,470
339	12 Btls	1945 Chateau Mouton Rothschild	$1,600,000	$204,342
348A	6 Mags	1982 Chateau Mouton Rothschild in OWC	$160,000	$20,434
363	12 Btls	1961 Chateau Palmer	$550,000	$70,243
418	1 Mag	1945 Chateau d'Yquem	$100,000	$12,771
493A	1 Mag	1990 DRC Richebourg in OWC	$110,000	$14,049
494	1 Jero	1990 DRC Richebourg in OWC	$275,000	$35,121
495	6 Btls	1997 DRC Richebourg in OWC	$170,000	$21,711
496	6 Btls	2004 DRC Richebourg in OWC	$180,000	$22,989
498	6 Btls	2002 DRC Romanee St. Vivant in OWC	$200,000	$25,543
530	12 Btls	2000 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape	$140,000	$17,880
538	6 Btls	2023 Comte Liger-Belair Nuits St. Georges Blanc Clos des Grandes Vignes in OWC	$65,000	$8,301
540	6 Btls	2015 Comte Liger-Belair Nuits St. Georges Clos des Grandes Vignes in OWC	$65,000	$8,301
541	6 Btls	2016 Comte Liger-Belair Vosne Romanee La Colombiere in OWC	$85,000	$10,856
543	1 Mag	2023 Comte Liger-Belair Vosne Romanee Aux Reas in OWC	$60,000	$7,663
545	1 Mag	2023 Comte Liger-Belair Vosne Romanee Aux Malconsorts in OWC	$65,000	$8,301
546	1 Mag	2016 Comte Liger-Belair Vosne Romanee Aux Brulees in OWC	$70,000	$8,940
547	1 Mag	2019 Comte Liger-Belair Vosne-Romanée Aux Brûlées in OWC	$70,000	$8,940
551	1 Mag	2009 Comte Liger-Belair Vosne Romanee Les Petits Monts in OWC	$70,000	$8,940
555	1 Mag	2016 Comte Liger-Belair Clos Vougeot in OWC	$55,000	$7,024
557	3 Btls	2010 Comte Liger-Belair Echezeaux in OWC	$100,000	$12,771
558	6 Btls	2016 Comte Liger-Belair Echezeaux in OWC	$150,000	$19,157
559	3 Btls	2023 Comte Liger-Belair Echezeaux in OWC	$90,000	$11,494
560	1 Mag	2023 Comte Liger-Belair Grands Echezeaux in OWC	$75,000	$9,579
561	3 Btls	2006 Comte Liger-Belair La Romanee in OWC	$110,000	$14,049
562	3 Btls	2016 Comte Liger-Belair La Romanee in OWC	$170,000	$21,711
563	22 Btls	2002-2022 Comte Liger-Belair La Romanee in OWC	$1,000,000	$127,714
565	1 Mag	2006 Comte Liger-Belair La Romanee in OWC	$80,000	$10,217
567	1 Jero	2016 Comte Liger-Belair La Romanee in OWC	$275,000	$35,121
568	1 Jero	2006 Comte Liger-Belair Vosne Romanee Aux Brulees in OWC	$130,000	$16,603
569	19 & 2 Btls, Mags	2023 Complete 2023 Vintage from Comte Liger-Belair	$425,000	$54,278
570	1 Barrel	2023 Comte Liger-Belair Vosne Romanee	$1,900,000	$242,656
575	3 Mags	2021 G. Roumier Bonnes Mares in OCB	$75,000	$9,579
583	1 Btl	2002 Domaine Leroy Musigny	$300,000	$38,314
596	2 Btls	2017 J. Truchot Morey St. Denis Les Sorbes	$42,500	$5,428
614	3 Btls	1999 DRC La Tache	$350,000	$44,700
615	6 Btls	1991 DRC Richebourg in OWC	$250,000	$31,928
623	1 Btl	1990 Ramonet Batard Montrachet	$32,500	$4,151
647	6 Btls	1998 Chateau Petrus in OWC	$190,000	$24,266
652	12 Btls	1988 DRC Grands Echezeaux	$275,000	$35,121
664	1 Meth	2001 DRC Montrachet	$700,000	$89,400
665	3 Btls	2013 Domaine Leflaive Batard Montrachet in OWC	$35,000	$4,470
667	6 Btls	2010 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape Pignan	$37,500	$4,789
768	1 Btl	1988 Meo Camuzet Vosne Romanee Cros Parantoux	$60,000	$7,663
778	3 Btls	2004 Bollinger Francaises Vieilles Vignes in OCB	$35,000	$4,470
825	4 Btls	2005 DRC Montrachet in OWC	$300,000	$38,314

Highlights from the June Hong Kong Auction

LOT

QTY

WINE

PRICE (HKD)

PRICE (USD)

18

1 D. Mag

1990 Chateau Angelus in OWC

$32,500

$4,151

51

1 Btl

1947 Chateau Cheval Blanc

$150,000

$19,157

54

6 Mags

1982 Chateau Cheval Blanc in OWC

$180,000

$22,989

63

6 Mags

1990 Chateau Cheval Blanc in OWC

$180,000

$22,989

135

12 Btls

1961 Chateau Haut Brion in OWC

$350,000

$44,700

137

2 Mags

1961 Chateau Haut Brion

$225,000

$28,736

142

6 Mags

1989 Chateau Haut Brion

$250,000

$31,928

143

1 Imp

1989 Chateau Haut Brion in OWC

$170,000

$21,711

167

6 Mags

1990 Chateau L'Evangile in OWC

$50,000

$6,386

170

1 Imp

2000 Chateau L'Evangile

$32,500

$4,151

186

4 Btls

1959 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion

$170,000

$21,711

187

1 Mag

1959 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion

$100,000

$12,771

188

6 Btls

1961 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion

$325,000

$41,507

189

1 Mag

1961 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion

$130,000

$16,603

194

12 Btls

1989 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion in OWC

$140,000

$17,880

197

1 D. Mag

1989 Chateau La Mission Haut Brion in OWC

$80,000

$10,217

231

1 Mag

1959 Chateau Lafite Rothschild

$130,000

$16,603

232

1 D. Mag

 1959 Chateau Lafite Rothschild in OWC

$300,000

$38,314

241

1 D. Mag

1986 Chateau Lafite Rothschild in OWC

$45,000

$5,747

261

12 Btls

2005 Chateau Lafleur in banded OWC

$160,000

$20,434

278

12 Btls

1945 Chateau Latour in OWC

$550,000

$70,243

279

6 Btls

1945 Chateau Latour

$200,000

$25,543

281

2 Mags

1959 Chateau Latour

$225,000

$28,736

283

1 Mag

1961 Chateau Latour in OWC

$170,000

$21,711

284

1 Jero

1961 Chateau Latour in OWC

$550,000

$70,243

287

12 Btls

1982 Chateau Latour in OWC

$190,000

$24,266

293

1 Imp

1982 Chateau Latour in OWC

$170,000

$21,711

299

3 D. Mag

1990 Chateau Latour in OWC

$120,000

$15,326

307

6 Btls

2001 Chateau Le Pin

$200,000

$25,543

325

1 D. Mag

1983 Chateau Margaux

$35,000

$4,470

339

12 Btls

1945 Chateau Mouton Rothschild

$1,600,000

$204,342

348A

6 Mags

1982 Chateau Mouton Rothschild in OWC

$160,000

$20,434

363

12 Btls

1961 Chateau Palmer

$550,000

$70,243

418

1 Mag

1945 Chateau d'Yquem

$100,000

$12,771

493A

1 Mag

1990 DRC Richebourg in OWC

$110,000

$14,049

494

1 Jero

1990 DRC Richebourg in OWC

$275,000

$35,121

495

6 Btls

1997 DRC Richebourg in OWC

$170,000

$21,711

496

6 Btls

2004 DRC Richebourg in OWC

$180,000

$22,989

498

6 Btls

2002 DRC Romanee St. Vivant in OWC

$200,000

$25,543

530

12 Btls

2000 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape

$140,000

$17,880

538

6 Btls

2023 Comte Liger-Belair Nuits St. Georges Blanc Clos des Grandes Vignes in OWC

$65,000

$8,301

540

6 Btls

2015 Comte Liger-Belair Nuits St. Georges Clos des Grandes Vignes in OWC

$65,000

$8,301

541

6 Btls

2016 Comte Liger-Belair Vosne Romanee La Colombiere in OWC

$85,000

$10,856

543

1 Mag

2023 Comte Liger-Belair Vosne Romanee Aux Reas in OWC

$60,000

$7,663

545

1 Mag

2023 Comte Liger-Belair Vosne Romanee Aux Malconsorts in OWC

$65,000

$8,301

546

1 Mag

2016 Comte Liger-Belair Vosne Romanee Aux Brulees in OWC

$70,000

$8,940

547

1 Mag

2019 Comte Liger-Belair Vosne-Romanée Aux Brûlées in OWC

$70,000

$8,940

551

1 Mag

2009 Comte Liger-Belair Vosne Romanee Les Petits Monts in OWC

$70,000

$8,940

555

1 Mag

2016 Comte Liger-Belair Clos Vougeot in OWC

$55,000

$7,024

557

3 Btls

2010 Comte Liger-Belair Echezeaux in OWC

$100,000

$12,771

558

6 Btls

2016 Comte Liger-Belair Echezeaux in OWC

$150,000

$19,157

559

3 Btls

2023 Comte Liger-Belair Echezeaux in OWC

$90,000

$11,494

560

1 Mag

2023 Comte Liger-Belair Grands Echezeaux in OWC

$75,000

$9,579

561

3 Btls

2006 Comte Liger-Belair La Romanee in OWC

$110,000

$14,049

562

3 Btls

2016 Comte Liger-Belair La Romanee in OWC

$170,000

$21,711

563

22 Btls

2002-2022 Comte Liger-Belair La Romanee in OWC

$1,000,000

$127,714

565

1 Mag

2006 Comte Liger-Belair La Romanee in OWC

$80,000

$10,217

567

1 Jero

2016 Comte Liger-Belair La Romanee in OWC

$275,000

$35,121

568

1 Jero

2006 Comte Liger-Belair Vosne Romanee Aux Brulees in OWC

$130,000

$16,603

569

19 & 2 Btls, Mags

2023 Complete 2023 Vintage from Comte Liger-Belair

$425,000

$54,278

570

1 Barrel

2023 Comte Liger-Belair Vosne Romanee

$1,900,000

$242,656

575

3 Mags

2021 G. Roumier Bonnes Mares in OCB

$75,000

$9,579

583

1 Btl

2002 Domaine Leroy Musigny

$300,000

$38,314

596

2 Btls

2017 J. Truchot Morey St. Denis Les Sorbes

$42,500

$5,428

614

3 Btls

1999 DRC La Tache

$350,000

$44,700

615

6 Btls

1991 DRC Richebourg in OWC

$250,000

$31,928

623

1 Btl

1990 Ramonet Batard Montrachet

$32,500

$4,151

647

6 Btls

1998 Chateau Petrus in OWC

$190,000

$24,266

652

12 Btls

1988 DRC Grands Echezeaux

$275,000

$35,121

664

1 Meth

2001 DRC Montrachet

$700,000

$89,400

665

3 Btls

2013 Domaine Leflaive Batard Montrachet in OWC

$35,000

$4,470

667

6 Btls

2010 Chateau Rayas Chateauneuf du Pape Pignan

$37,500

$4,789

768

1 Btl

1988 Meo Camuzet Vosne Romanee Cros Parantoux

$60,000

$7,663

778

3 Btls

2004 Bollinger Francaises Vieilles Vignes in OCB

$35,000

$4,470

825

4 Btls

2005 DRC Montrachet in OWC

$300,000

$38,314

 

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Packed Room Welcomes Comte Louis-Michel Liger-Belair for Historic Bicentennial Offering

• 68% of surveyed executives say meeting data residency and sovereignty requirements across geographies is challenging
• Nearly all (91%) respondents report not fully understanding their AI dependencies across vendors, models, and infrastructure
• Organizations with the most advanced AI control capabilities protect more than half of their operating profit from AI-driven disruptions

ARMONK, N.Y., June 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A new global study by the IBM (NYSE: IBM) Institute for Business Value finds that as enterprises embed AI deeper into core business operations, most surveyed organizations remain locked into AI systems they cannot easily change, reinforcing the growing importance of AI sovereignty to maintain business continuity and performance.

Based on insights from 1,000 senior executives, The Calculus of AI Sovereignty study* reveals that 71% of respondents say switching their primary AI vendor or model would be difficult, highlighting significant operational constraints. Additionally, 68% of surveyed executives say meeting data residency and sovereignty requirements across geographies is challenging, creating complexity in moving AI systems or data across environments. These dynamics point to growing pressure on organizations to strengthen control and oversight as AI adoption and compliance requirements expand.

While the need for control is intensifying, most organizations still lack the visibility required to act on it: 91% of those surveyed say they don't fully understand their organization's dependencies across AI vendors, models and infrastructure, limiting the ability to assess risk and plan for disruption. Surveyed leaders report an average of six AI-related disruptions over the past two years, largely driven by vendor services, yet 81% say a seven-day vendor outage would still cause severe or critical disruption, effectively halting operations.

Respondents also cite unexpected changes across the AI ecosystem, including price increases, usage restrictions, model deprecations, and performance degradation. These findings underscore the challenges enterprises face in managing AI dependencies.

Ana Paula Assis, IBM Senior Vice President and Chair, EMEA and APAC, said in the study foreword: "AI has introduced new forms of dependency that evolve faster than traditional governance, procurement, or technology cycles were designed to handle. That is why AI sovereignty has become one of the most defining leadership issues of this moment. The stakes are no longer technical; they are economic. Any loss of control can translate directly into margin pressure, compliance exposure, or outright business disruption."

According to the study, organizations that design AI systems to adapt data, models and infrastructure as conditions change – a core element of AI sovereignty – are outperforming peers:

• Analysis shows that organizations with the most advanced AI control capabilities see less AI downtime and protect 55% more operating profit from AI-driven disruptions.
• Yet, only a minority of the organizations surveyed (7%) operate at this level, signaling a widening gap between those building adaptable AI systems and those constrained by dependency.
• 72% of surveyed executives say they would accept a 20% cost increase to maintain AI vendors if it improved strategic flexibility.

Most surveyed organizations (73%) describe their AI environments as intentionally multi-‑vendor, yet vendor diversity in practice appears to be driven less by deliberate strategy and more by internal and operational realities¹:

• Independent business unit decisions (69%) and geographic necessity (69%) emerge as the leading drivers.
• Legacy complexity is also widely cited by respondents (57%), reflecting mergers, acquisitions, and historical decisions—common across organizations but less often the primary driver.

The study also provides a roadmap for senior executives on how to build flexible, resilient, and sovereign AI systems. To view the full study, visit: https://ibm.biz/ai-sovereignty.

¹ Unpublished data from the IBM Institute for Business Value The Calculus of AI Sovereignty Study (2026).

*Study Methodology
The IBM Institute for Business Value, in collaboration with Oxford Economics, conducted a global survey between February and April 2026 to examine how organizations structure control across the AI stack and how these choices relate to resilience, performance and operating economics. The study is based on responses from 1,000 senior executives responsible for AI, data, technology, or related enterprise capabilities across 16 countries and 17 industries. Additional analysis identified distinct AI control profiles by segmenting organizations based on how they structure control across data, models, infrastructure and applications, and assessing the relationship to resilience, performance and operating economics.

The IBM Institute for Business Value, IBM's thought leadership think tank, combines
global research and performance data with expertise from industry thinkers and leading academics to deliver insights that make business leaders smarter. For more world-class thought leadership, visit: www.ibm.com/ibv. To receive more insights, subscribe to the IdeaWatch newsletter: https://ibm.co/ibv-ideawatch. 

About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, and service.  Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

Media Contact
Marisa Conway
IBM Corporate Communications
conwaym@us.ibm.com

ARMONK, N.Y., June 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A new global study by the IBM (NYSE: IBM) Institute for Business Value finds that as enterprises embed AI deeper into core business operations, most surveyed organizations remain locked into AI systems they cannot easily change, reinforcing the growing importance of AI sovereignty to maintain business continuity and performance.

Based on insights from 1,000 senior executives, The Calculus of AI Sovereignty study* reveals that 71% of respondents say switching their primary AI vendor or model would be difficult, highlighting significant operational constraints. Additionally, 68% of surveyed executives say meeting data residency and sovereignty requirements across geographies is challenging, creating complexity in moving AI systems or data across environments. These dynamics point to growing pressure on organizations to strengthen control and oversight as AI adoption and compliance requirements expand.

While the need for control is intensifying, most organizations still lack the visibility required to act on it: 91% of those surveyed say they don't fully understand their organization's dependencies across AI vendors, models and infrastructure, limiting the ability to assess risk and plan for disruption. Surveyed leaders report an average of six AI-related disruptions over the past two years, largely driven by vendor services, yet 81% say a seven-day vendor outage would still cause severe or critical disruption, effectively halting operations.

Respondents also cite unexpected changes across the AI ecosystem, including price increases, usage restrictions, model deprecations, and performance degradation. These findings underscore the challenges enterprises face in managing AI dependencies.

Ana Paula Assis, IBM Senior Vice President and Chair, EMEA and APAC, said in the study foreword: "AI has introduced new forms of dependency that evolve faster than traditional governance, procurement, or technology cycles were designed to handle. That is why AI sovereignty has become one of the most defining leadership issues of this moment. The stakes are no longer technical; they are economic. Any loss of control can translate directly into margin pressure, compliance exposure, or outright business disruption."

According to the study, organizations that design AI systems to adapt data, models and infrastructure as conditions change – a core element of AI sovereignty – are outperforming peers:

• Analysis shows that organizations with the most advanced AI control capabilities see less AI downtime and protect 55% more operating profit from AI-driven disruptions.
• Yet, only a minority of the organizations surveyed (7%) operate at this level, signaling a widening gap between those building adaptable AI systems and those constrained by dependency.
• 72% of surveyed executives say they would accept a 20% cost increase to maintain AI vendors if it improved strategic flexibility.

Most surveyed organizations (73%) describe their AI environments as intentionally multi-‑vendor, yet vendor diversity in practice appears to be driven less by deliberate strategy and more by internal and operational realities¹:

• Independent business unit decisions (69%) and geographic necessity (69%) emerge as the leading drivers.
• Legacy complexity is also widely cited by respondents (57%), reflecting mergers, acquisitions, and historical decisions—common across organizations but less often the primary driver.

The study also provides a roadmap for senior executives on how to build flexible, resilient, and sovereign AI systems. To view the full study, visit: https://ibm.biz/ai-sovereignty.

¹ Unpublished data from the IBM Institute for Business Value The Calculus of AI Sovereignty Study (2026).

*Study Methodology
The IBM Institute for Business Value, in collaboration with Oxford Economics, conducted a global survey between February and April 2026 to examine how organizations structure control across the AI stack and how these choices relate to resilience, performance and operating economics. The study is based on responses from 1,000 senior executives responsible for AI, data, technology, or related enterprise capabilities across 16 countries and 17 industries. Additional analysis identified distinct AI control profiles by segmenting organizations based on how they structure control across data, models, infrastructure and applications, and assessing the relationship to resilience, performance and operating economics.

The IBM Institute for Business Value, IBM's thought leadership think tank, combines
global research and performance data with expertise from industry thinkers and leading academics to deliver insights that make business leaders smarter. For more world-class thought leadership, visit: www.ibm.com/ibv. To receive more insights, subscribe to the IdeaWatch newsletter: https://ibm.co/ibv-ideawatch. 

About IBM
IBM is a leading provider of global hybrid cloud and AI, and consulting expertise. We help clients in more than 175 countries capitalize on insights from their data, streamline business processes, reduce costs and gain the competitive edge in their industries. Thousands of government and corporate entities in critical infrastructure areas such as financial services, telecommunications and healthcare rely on IBM's hybrid cloud platform and Red Hat OpenShift to affect their digital transformations quickly, efficiently and securely. IBM's breakthrough innovations in AI, quantum computing, industry-specific cloud solutions and consulting deliver open and flexible options to our clients. All of this is backed by IBM's long-standing commitment to trust, transparency, responsibility, inclusivity, and service.  Visit www.ibm.com for more information.

Media Contact
Marisa Conway
IBM Corporate Communications
conwaym@us.ibm.com

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IBM Study: Limited Control and Rising Dependencies Leave Enterprises Exposed in the Age of AI

IBM Study: Limited Control and Rising Dependencies Leave Enterprises Exposed in the Age of AI