Professional services firms are facing mounting operational and commercial risks as a widening gap emerges between AI ambition and execution, according to Thomson Reuters’ 2026 Future of Professionals report.
Despite widespread adoption of AI tools, many organisations are failing to translate usage into measurable value, placing client relationships, workforce stability and revenue growth under pressure.
The study, based on a global survey of 1,800 professionals across legal, tax, audit and risk functions, estimates that up to US$143 billion in revenue is at risk in the United States alone as clients increasingly demand AI-enabled outcomes.
While 74% of professionals report using AI tools weekly, 91% believe their organisations are falling short of AI’s potential, underscoring a critical execution gap.
“We’re seeing a clear divide emerge,” said Steve Hasker, president and CEO of Thomson Reuters. “Firms that are operationalising AI are pulling ahead. Those that aren’t are starting to take on real risk, across talent, clients and financial performance. Closing that execution gap is now a business imperative for professional firms.”
One of the most immediate concerns is the rise of “shadow AI”. The report reveals that one-third of professionals are using unsanctioned AI tools, rising to 41% among those who perceive their organisations as slow to adopt.
This creates significant governance challenges, particularly in regulated environments where data confidentiality, accuracy and auditability are paramount. While 96% of respondents stress the need for secure AI and 90% require explainable outputs, 41% say they lack access to enterprise-grade tools that meet these standards.
Talent retention is also emerging as a critical pressure point. Nearly a quarter of professionals indicate they would consider leaving within two years if their organisations fail to deliver on AI expectations, with 13% willing to exit within 12 months. Access to advanced AI capabilities is increasingly influencing career decisions, with 62% stating it would affect their choice of employer.
At the same time, client expectations are accelerating. Some 78% of corporate clients now view AI-enabled quality improvements as essential, yet only 6% believe most providers are meeting this standard. As a result, 32% of clients plan to reassess provider relationships within the next year, with a significant proportion placing high-value contracts under review.
Hasker added: “Not all AI is created equal. In professions where there is real liability, the standard has to be much higher. When outputs shape legal judgments or client advice, ‘almost right’ isn’t good enough.”
As AI becomes embedded in core workflows, firms are under growing pressure to move beyond experimentation and operationalise trusted, high-quality AI at scale—before clients and talent move elsewhere.
