On the 24th of March 2026, live from the SAFe Summit in Amsterdam, Andrew Sales, Chief Methodologist of SAFe, took to the main stage to address the defining challenge of our time: In an era of accelerating technology and unpredictable AI advancement, how do we architect success for a future that is rapidly changing?
Andrew’s keynote, “Architecting for the Future,” proposed that because the future is inherently unpredictable, the “Transformation” model of the last decade—characterized by big-bang, stop-and-start reorganizations—is no longer sufficient. To succeed in an “Edge” world, we must move away from the “transformation treadmill” and build organizations that are inherently adaptive.
“When that ecosystem is healthy—evidenced by the organization’s ability to constantly sense shifts, prune unproductive activities, and nurture new growth avenues—transformations are rarely needed, and when they do occur, they are more productive.”
– Harvard Business Review, Get Off the Transformation Treadmill
1. Build an Adaptive Operating Model
For years, we viewed SAFe primarily as a means of transformation. We would stop, reorganize, and restart. But in the age of AI, change is the only constant. We need an Adaptive Operating Model that enables the organization to constantly sense and respond to market shifts.
To support this, Andrew revealed a brand-new view of the Leadership and Culture discipline. This update focuses on how leaders at all levels use SAFe to move beyond a “once-and-done” implementation. It’s about a continual practice of adaptation, ensuring you are always addressing your biggest business challenges.
The journey still begins with training and launching trains, followed by Customizing SAFe to your specific context. But the third, most critical step is the adaptive piece. By organizing the Framework around modular Business Problems, we allow organizations to build SAFe Competency Journey Maps that overcome the hurdles they face today.
Announced from the stage for the first time:
- Solving Business Problems Article: New guidance providing a repeatable process for identifying your biggest business problems and building an adaptable operating model.
- Competency Cards: Printable cards that link specific business problems to the SAFe Competencies that address them, creating an interactive approach to building SAFe Competency Journey Maps.
2. Unlock Real Returns with AI
Why do the possibilities of AI seem endless, yet only 9% of companies achieve value at scale? Andrew argued that most organizations are working backward—starting with the technology and hunting for a problem to solve.
“Only 9% of companies are achieving AI value at scale”
– Return on AI Institute, Economic Maturity of Artificial Intelligence 2026
To unlock real returns, organizations must start with a conversation about value. Andrew introduced five proven AI value patterns that serve as the “North Star” for navigating the noise:
- Knowledge and Decision Support
- Customer Interaction
- Workforce Automation
- Risk and Control
- Expert Productivity
To help you lead this shift, we are thrilled to announce the release of the new executive guide: “5 Value Patterns that Separate AI Natives from AI Tourists.” We also unveiled the 1-Day Leading an AI-Native Organization Course, covering everything from AI strategy and vision to the critical enabling capabilities of data and ethics.
3. Achieve AI-Empowered Agility
The final piece of the architecture is AI-Empowered Agility. This isn’t a replacement for Lean-Agile; it is an evolution that builds upon it. It involves two parts: how we work to develop AI solutions, and how we leverage AI to enhance the speed, quality, and adaptability of SAFe itself.
Andrew detailed four critical shifts that amplify SAFe for the AI age:
- Focus on Outcomes & Intent: Using “Intent” to identify the core purpose behind AI-driven systems.
- Iterative Learning & Rapid Experimentation: Accelerating the PDCA cycle through AI-driven insights.
- Development & Innovation at Scale: Moving beyond just “development” to democratized, governed innovation across the enterprise.
- Cross-Functional, AI-Augmented Teams: Reimagining teams where AI is a core contributor, not just a tool.
All of this is underpinned by a Human-Centric AI Culture—using human judgment to govern and manage while utilizing AI to improve productivity and creativity.
The Big Reveal: A New Surface on the Big Picture
In a significant update to the Framework, Andrew unveiled that AI-Empowered Agility is now a dedicated surface area on the SAFe Big Picture. SAFe customers can now click directly on this section to immediately access integrated guidance, including links to the new AI-Empowered SAFe Certification courses, skills, and workshop.
We are moving into an era where SAFe doesn’t just help you manage work—it helps you architect a future that is ready for anything. We can’t wait to see how you use these new building blocks to make your organization truly adaptive.
— The Framework Team