Key takeaways:
- Shadow AI is a critical business risk: More than a third of professionals (34%) use AI tools their organisation hasn’t sanctioned, in ways it can’t see.
- The talent cost: One in four professionals who are experiencing a gap between what AI technology is capable of, compared with that their organisation is delivering, are already considering leaving within two years if the gap is not addressed.
- The client cost: Firms that fall behind on AI risk losing clients and significant revenue. 78% of corporate clients now consider AI-enabled quality improvements very important or essential, yet a mere 6% say most of their providers deliver it.
Thomson Reuters has released the “Future of Professionals Report 2026”, revealing the real-world experiences of professionals in legal, tax compliance and finance.
Based on a global survey of 1,816 professionals conducted in March – April 2026, and spanning across 62 countries, the report highlights the key technology trends shaping workplaces worldwide.
The report underscored a growing gap between AI ambition and reality, with increasingly tangible consequences for organisations across the risk, talent and financial landscapes.
“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.”
AI ambition is outpacing reality
The disconnect between AI ambition and reality is prominent in the “Future of Professionals Report 2026“.
Despite their organisation having an AI strategy in place, only just over one third of professionals (35%) see it having an impact on their daily roles, and nearly one in five cite a lack of clear direction. The consequences are mounting, with one in four professionals weighing an exit.
‘Shadow’ AI is a hidden risk
A significant number of professionals are using AI tools within their organisations without formal approval. In fact, one in three professionals rely on AI that hasn’t been officially approved. Their usage continues despite a lack of organisational sign-off.
Usage is even higher among those who believe their organisation is moving too slowly on AI, with 41% admitting they quietly turn to unofficial tools.
At an organisational level, the uptake of ‘shadow AI’ can lead to increased risk of data breaches and misuse of sensitive information.
“Whether someone reaches for shadow AI out of convenience, curiosity, pressure to keep up, or something else, it doesn’t change the risk of data exposure, governance failures, and erosion of the professional accountability these professions are built on,” notes the report.
Download your copy of the “Future of Professionals Report 2026” by Thomson Reuters today. You can also access your copy of last year’s to see what has changed.
