Enterprises are poised to pour more money into digital asset management systems as artificial intelligence and sophisticated content orchestration tools redefine how organizations handle their visual and multimedia repositories. A fresh study commissioned by Orange Logic and executed by Forrester Consulting shows that 80% of surveyed companies plan to ramp up investments in DAM platforms through 2026, driven by the need to integrate AI for smarter content workflows.

The report, titled an “Opportunity Snapshot,” draws from interviews with 100 decision-makers at large enterprises across North America and Europe. It highlights how DAM is evolving from a mere storage solution into a strategic hub for AI-powered automation, metadata enhancement, and cross-channel content distribution. Orange Logic, a provider of the CORTEX DAM platform, sponsored the research to underscore the mounting pressures on digital operations teams.

AI’s Grip on Content Pipelines

AI integration tops the list of priorities, with 68% of respondents citing it as a key driver for DAM upgrades. The study notes that generative AI tools are automating asset tagging, personalization, and even content creation, slashing manual labor by up to 40% in some cases. Forrester analysts point to content orchestration—the process of dynamically assembling assets for campaigns—as the next frontier, where DAM systems must sync with marketing automation and e-commerce platforms seamlessly.

Forrester Consulting’s findings align with broader trends in enterprise tech adoption. As one executive quoted in the report stated, “We’re not just storing files anymore; DAM is the backbone for AI-driven experiences.” This shift comes amid exploding content volumes, with enterprises managing terabytes of images, videos, and 3D models daily.

Budget Commitments Solidify

Nearly all participants—94%—view DAM as mission-critical, up from 75% two years ago, per the Business Wire release of the Opportunity Snapshot. Investment plans are firm: 45% expect to boost budgets by 20% or more annually through 2026. Challenges like legacy system silos and poor searchability are pushing firms toward platforms with native AI capabilities.

Orange Logic positions its CORTEX platform as a leader here, having earned “Strong Performer” status in Forrester’s 2024 Wave evaluation for DAM systems. The study emphasizes that firms prioritizing AI in DAM report 30% faster time-to-market for campaigns and 25% higher asset reuse rates.

Orchestration Demands New Architectures

Content orchestration requires DAM platforms to act as intelligent hubs, feeding assets into headless CMS, personalization engines, and real-time martech stacks. The Forrester study reveals 72% of enterprises struggle with fragmented workflows, leading to duplicated efforts and brand inconsistencies. AI addresses this by enabling predictive asset recommendations and automated compliance checks.

Industry observers note parallels in recent reports. A GlobeNewswire analysis projects the global DAM software market to grow at 15% CAGR through 2031, fueled by AI and ML enhancements for metadata accuracy and workflow streamlining (GlobeNewswire).

Enterprise-Scale Hurdles Persist

Despite enthusiasm, integration complexities loom large. 55% of respondents report difficulties connecting DAM to CRM and ERP systems, per the Opportunity Snapshot. Solutions like API-first architectures and low-code connectors are gaining traction, with vendors like Orange Logic touting seamless integrations with Adobe Experience Manager and Salesforce.

Forrester’s prior research, including the Q1 2024 DAM Wave, praised Orange Logic for its strategy and market presence (Business Wire). The new study builds on this, forecasting that AI-native DAM will dominate by 2027.

ROI Metrics Take Center Stage

Quantifiable gains are compelling C-suites. Surveyed firms using advanced DAM see 35% reductions in production costs and 50% improvements in asset discoverability. As AI evolves, expect deeper investments in features like computer vision for auto-tagging and generative tools for variant creation.

Posts on X from industry voices echo this momentum. Analysts highlight how DAM underpins AI agents in marketing, with one thread noting, “80% DAM investment hike signals enterprises betting big on orchestrated content at scale.”

Vendor Strategies Evolve Rapidly

Orange Logic’s sponsorship isn’t coincidental; its CORTEX platform emphasizes AI orchestration, as detailed on its blog covering DAM innovations (Orange Logic Blog). Competitors like Bynder and Acquia are following suit, but the study positions AI-DAM convergence as a differentiator.

Forrester’s 2026 Predictions guide flags content tech as a high-growth area, with AI accelerating enterprise transformations (Forrester). SAP’s recent Forrester-commissioned research on global readiness underscores similar shifts toward integrated platforms.

Looking to 2026 Investments

By 2026, the study predicts 90% of enterprises will deploy AI-enhanced DAM, upending traditional content operations. Early adopters report competitive edges in personalized customer journeys, where orchestrated assets drive 20-30% lifts in engagement metrics.

This surge mirrors VC sentiments, with TechCrunch reporting enterprises consolidating AI spend through fewer, robust vendors in 2026 (TechCrunch). For DAM leaders, the message is clear: invest now or risk obsolescence.