What has changed since 2025?
SPI Research’s 2025 study captured responses from 146 professional services and embedded services organizations worldwide.
It revealed a market adopting AI rapidly but still struggling to convert experimentation into measurable performance. Only 40% of consultants and employees had access to AI, while just one in ten firms were attempting genuinely transformational AI initiatives.
The 2026 study will examine how far the market has progressed—and identify where AI is now improving productivity, service delivery, revenue and profitability.
Your participation will help establish the next industry benchmark.
Complete the survey to receive:
- A complimentary copy of the 2026 Impact of AI on Professional Services findings report when published
- Early access to key benchmarks covering AI adoption, use cases, productivity and commercial impact
- Independent SPI analysis of how professional services organizations are turning AI investment into measurable business results
- The opportunity to compare your organization’s progress with the wider professional services market
Free of charge. No sales pitch. Just independent, practical benchmark insight.
Who should participate?
Organizations
- IT consulting and technology services firms
- Management and specialist consultancies
- SaaS and software professional services teams
- Embedded services organizations
- Architecture, engineering and construction firms
- Marketing, creative and digital agencies
- Accountancy, advisory and legal services firms
- Other project-based and services-led businesses
Relevant leaders
- Professional services executives
- Consulting and delivery leaders
- Operations and transformation leaders
- Technology, data and AI leaders
- Finance and commercial leaders
- Talent and workforce leaders
- Product and innovation teams
- Executives responsible for AI strategy or governance
Organizations do not need to have a mature AI strategy to participate. We want to hear from firms at every stage, including those that have not yet introduced AI formally.
Why this research matters
AI has moved from a future technology discussion into an immediate strategic and operational priority. Professional services organizations are applying it across sales, proposals, project planning, resource management, knowledge sharing, service delivery, software development and internal operations.
However, adoption alone does not guarantee impact. Many organizations continue to face challenges involving data quality, fragmented technology, governance, skills, employee adoption and the ability to demonstrate measurable returns.
The 2026 research will measure what has changed since SPI Research’s 2025 study, identify where firms are now achieving tangible results and examine the practices separating AI leaders from the rest of the market.
What the 2026 survey will explore
The research will examine how professional services organizations are adopting AI, where it is creating measurable value and what prevents organizations from moving successfully from experimentation to scaled deployment.
AI strategy and maturity
How organizations are approaching AI leadership, investment and adoption—from initial experimentation and employee-assistance tools through to AI agents and AI-first operating models.
Use cases and productivity
Where AI is being applied across sales, proposals, research, project planning, resource management, knowledge sharing, service delivery, software development, reporting and internal operations.
Commercial and operational impact
The effect of AI on employee productivity, service quality, revenue, margins and profitability, as well as the development of AI-enabled services, pricing models and client propositions.
Workforce, technology and governance
How organizations are addressing skills, training, employee adoption, data readiness, systems integration, security, privacy, governance and the risks associated with scaling AI.
What the findings report will provide
The 2026 report will turn the survey results into practical benchmarks and recommendations for professional services leaders.
Industry benchmarks
Independent data showing how professional services organizations are adopting AI, which technologies and use cases are gaining traction and how adoption differs by organization type and maturity.
Evidence of business impact
Analysis of where AI is improving productivity, service delivery, revenue, margins and profitability and where organizations are struggling to demonstrate measurable returns.
Characteristics of AI leaders
Insight into the strategies, operating practices, technologies, skills and governance approaches associated with more advanced and successful AI adoption.
Priorities for the next stage of adoption
Practical recommendations to help organizations move from isolated experiments to scalable, governed and commercially valuable AI capabilities.
The report will also compare the 2026 results with SPI Research’s 2025 findings to show how quickly the professional services market is progressing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the survey take?
The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete.
Who should complete the survey?
The survey should be completed by a leader or informed representative with knowledge of their organization’s AI strategy, technology, operations or professional services performance.
Relevant participants may include professional services executives, consulting and delivery leaders, operations and transformation leaders, technology, data and AI leaders, finance and commercial leaders, and executives responsible for AI investment or governance.
Does our organization need to be using AI already?
No. We want to hear from organizations at every stage of AI adoption—from those that have not yet introduced AI formally to businesses deploying AI agents and AI-enabled operating models at scale.
Responses from organizations in the early stages of adoption are just as important to establishing an accurate industry benchmark.
Are survey responses confidential?
Yes. Individual responses will not be published or shared, and no participating individual or organization will be identifiable in the research findings.
Survey results will be analysed and presented only in aggregated or anonymized form.
How will our contact information be used?
Contact information is collected to validate participation, communicate about the research and provide participants with the 2026 findings report.
Any use of personal information will be handled in accordance with SPI Research’s privacy policy.
What will participants receive?
Participants who complete the survey will receive a complimentary copy of the 2026 Impact of AI on Professional Services findings report when it is published.
The report will provide independent benchmarks covering AI adoption, use cases, productivity, commercial impact, governance and the practices associated with more successful AI adoption.
When does the survey close?
The survey is open until 15 September 2026.
The findings report is currently planned for publication in October 2026. We encourage participants to respond as early as possible so their organization’s experience can be included in the research.
Help establish the industry benchmark
Whether your organization is evaluating AI, running selected pilots or deploying it at scale, your experience will contribute to a more accurate picture of how AI is changing professional services.
The survey is open until 15 September 2026.
Responses are confidential and findings will be reported only in aggregated or anonymized form. The findings report is planned for publication in October 2026.
For research enquiries, contact info@spiresearch.com.