{"id":4115,"date":"2026-05-26T04:29:21","date_gmt":"2026-05-26T04:29:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/insight.thomsonreuters.co.nz\/legal\/?post_type=insight_resource&p=4115"},"modified":"2026-05-26T04:29:21","modified_gmt":"2026-05-26T04:29:21","slug":"2026-ai-in-professional-services-report","status":"publish","type":"insight_resource","link":"https:\/\/insight.thomsonreuters.co.nz\/legal\/resources\/resource\/2026-ai-in-professional-services-report","title":{"rendered":"2026 AI in Professional Services Report"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As AI rapidly shifts from experimentation to everyday use, professional services organisations face new questions around accuracy, trust, and the future shape of their work. This year\u2019s report examines how generative and agentic AI are being adopted in practice\u00a0\u2013 and the challenges emerging as AI becomes embedded in core workflows.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

\u201c2026 marks the strategic phase of AI \u2013 one where organisations redefine workflows, reshape value, and build AI directly into the foundation of their business strategy.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Mike Abbott, Head of Thomson Reuters Institute<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

AI\u2019s impact on professional services<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

GenAI adoption surges<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Generative AI (GenAI) use has nearly doubled, wih 40% of professionals saying their organisations now use it, up from 22% last year. Only 19% say their organisations have no plans to adopt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Workflows are shifting<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

GenAI is becoming embedded in daily work. More than 80% of current users engage with it weekly and more than 90% say they expect it to become a central part of their workflow within five years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accuracy is the top barrier to AI adoption<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

As generative AI becomes embedded in professional workflows, many professionals remain cautious about how much they can rely on AI\u2011generated outputs. In fact, reliability and accuracy are cited as the leading reasons professionals hesitate to apply generative AI to their work, underscoring the need for trusted sources and human validation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AI\u2019s ROI remains elusive<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Despite widespread AI adoption, only 18% of professionals say their organisations track return on investment (ROI)\u00a0\u2013 and mostly through internal metrics. Another 40% say they don\u2019t know if ROI is measured at all, leaving many professionals using AI without clear success criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Client-firm AI disconnect<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Two-thirds of corporate respondents want their outside firms to use AI, yet fewer than 20% mandate it, creating confusion since many professionals receive conflicting client guidance. Most believe firms should initiate clearer AI conversations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2026 AI in Professional Services report<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now in its fourth year, the 2026 AI in Professional Services Report (formerly Generative AI in Professional Services Report) from the Thomson Reuters Institute examines how AI is reshaping the legal, tax, accounting, risk, fraud, and government sectors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Drawing on perspectives from more than 1,500 professionals, (Including New Zealand) this report highlights that the era of early AI adoption has passed. Today marks the strategic phase of AI, in which organisations redefine workflows, reshape value, and build AI directly into the foundation of their business strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Discover a clear view of where generative AI (GenAI) and agentic AI are gaining traction, how expectations and business models are shifting, and how leaders need to prepare as AI becomes an essential pillar of professional work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Download the report today<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As AI rapidly shifts from experimentation to everyday use, professional services organisations face new questions around accuracy, trust, and the future shape of their work. 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