Contextual Intelligence Becomes the New Standard for Exceptional Customer Experience in 2026
Zendesk CX Trends 2026 report highlights a new standard: customers now expect instant resolutions, deeper personalization, and greater transparency from AI-powered experiences.
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zendesk released its 2026 Customer Experience (CX) Trends report, revealing that contextual intelligence — the ability to combine AI, data, and human understanding in real time — is redefining what great service means. The study, based on insights from thousands of consumers, CX leaders, and customer service agents around the world, shows that the future of CX lies in intelligent, adaptive experiences that feel personal, predictive, and perfectly timed.
This year's report highlights how the most successful companies are blending the capabilities of AI with the emotional intelligence of human service, using data and context to anticipate needs and deliver help before customers even ask.
"AI is not the differentiator anymore. How intelligently you apply it is. When 85% of CX leaders say one unresolved issue is enough to lose a customer, speed, accuracy, and empathy become non-negotiable. The best systems connect past interactions to present intent to anticipate what is next, putting contextual intelligence in action. That is the balance Zendesk delivers: automation that feels personal and builds trust by bringing real context to every conversation," said Tom Eggemeier, Chief Executive Officer of Zendesk.
The Zendesk CX Trends 2026 report identifies five key shifts shaping customer experiences in the year ahead:
Together, these trends demonstrate how intelligence and knowledge converge to create faster, more personalized, and deeply aware customer experiences, setting a new benchmark for trust and loyalty worldwide. Contextual intelligence will become the foundation for companies to deliver exceptional CX, differentiate in the market, and cultivate lasting customer relationships.
Download the full Zendesk 2026 CX Trends report here for an in-depth look at the five trends shaping the future of customer experience and the actions companies can take to stay ahead.
Methodology
CX Trends 2026 is based on insights from over 11,000 respondents worldwide. The research combines two global surveys conducted across 22 countries in June 2025: one with 6,182 consumers and another with 5,115 business respondents including CX leaders, service managers, and agents.
Countries surveyed include Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
About Zendesk
Zendesk powers exceptional service for every person on the planet. As a leader in AI-powered service, we offer the Zendesk Resolution Platform, designed to redefine customer experience with advanced tools that integrate AI Agents, a comprehensive knowledge graph, actions and integrations, governance and control, measurement and insights, and human expertise. Our purpose-built platform enhances service by combining automation and human insight for seamless interactions. Easy to use, easy to scale, and easy to get value from, Zendesk helps companies strengthen relationships, improve efficiency, and grow. Learn more at www.zendesk.com.
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/contextual-intelligence-becomes-the-new-standard-for-exceptional-customer-experience-in-2026-302617972.html
SOURCE Zendesk, Inc.
