Google has been named a Leader in the 2026 IDC MarketScape for worldwide foundation model software, according to the latest assessment from the global market intelligence firm. The report evaluates major technology vendors on their ability to deliver scalable, secure, and customisable artificial intelligence solutions for enterprise customers.
The assessment praises Google for its Gemini family of models, which are built with native multimodality – meaning they process text, images, video, and audio from the ground up. The portfolio spans the high-end Pro version for complex reasoning, cheaper Flash variants for high-volume production, and Nano for on-device use.
IDC also highlights Google’s specialised models for creating images and videos. The firm praises Google’s complete platform, which offers not only the AI models themselves, but also built-in management and safety controls, performance tracking tools, and a marketplace where businesses can buy third-party agents. The report also notes that Google’s deep links with Workspace and Android, plus its network of 120,000 partners, give it a clear edge.
However, the report also identifies clear challenges. The breadth of Google’s offering creates a steep learning curve, which may delay the time it takes for businesses to realise value, particularly if they have already adopted rival tools. IDC suggests that Google should offer more third-party models beyond its own Gemini range to give customers greater choice. It also criticises Google’s messaging, stating that the company needs to promote its agentic coding capabilities more aggressively and address the misperception that Gemini models are difficult to customise.
Looking beyond Google, the report states that the enterprise AI market has changed dramatically. Companies are now using multiple AI models and teams of digital "agents" that can handle different types of content: text, videos, and images. These agents often operate with very little human oversight. To keep up, IDC advises businesses to choose the right model for each specific task, put strict safety and management rules in place, and ensure their AI tools connect smoothly with existing business software. The report concludes that the core intelligence driving business AI no longer comes from one single system, but from a flexible network of collaborating agents.
The IDC MarketScape is a vendor assessment tool used by the International Data Corporation, a global provider of technology market intelligence. According to its official website, it evaluates suppliers against standard criteria to help business leaders make informed purchasing decisions.
