Future of Professionals 2026: As AI adoption grows, so do the challenges

2026-06-22 · Source: Thomson Reuters Institute · Field: Business & Management — Corporate Strategy & Leadership, Operations & Process Management, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning · Depth: Intermediate, long

Summary

The Thomson Reuters "Future of Professionals 2026" report reveals a significant "AI value gap" despite widespread adoption among fiduciary professionals in legal, tax, audit, accounting, compliance, risk, and global trade. Surveying over 1,800 professionals across 62 countries, the report found 74% use AI tools several times a week, with 44% using them daily. However, 91% experience frustration as AI fails to deliver expected benefits, leading to real business risks. These include over one-third of professionals using unsanctioned "shadow AI" tools due to dissatisfaction, and almost 3-in-10 mid-career professionals considering job changes if AI value falls short, representing a potential \$232,000 replacement cost per employee. The report emphasizes that success hinges on deliberate strategy and structured change management to bridge the gap between AI strategy and day-to-day practice, rather than merely deploying more tools.

Key takeaway

For executives overseeing AI strategy and implementation, recognize that widespread AI adoption does not guarantee value. Your organization faces significant risks, including talent loss and shadow AI, if you fail to bridge the gap between AI expectations and delivered benefits. Prioritize structured change management, redesign workflows, and invest in "fiduciary grade" tools with clear accountability standards to ensure AI genuinely enhances professional services and client relationships.

Key insights

AI adoption is widespread, but a "value gap" between expectation and delivery creates significant organizational risks.

Principles

• AI value hinges on effective strategy and execution.
• Human judgment, relationships, and accountability remain central.
• Shadow AI signals organizational inaction.

Method

Structured change management is required to align AI strategy with day-to-day practice, focusing on client outcomes, redesigning work, and maintaining accountability.

In practice

• Prioritize client outcomes over adoption rates.
• Redesign workflows, roles, and performance metrics.
• Invest in "fiduciary grade" tools with clear standards.

Topics

• AI Adoption
• AI Strategy
• Change Management
• Professional Services
• Shadow AI
• Talent Retention

Best for: CTO, Director of AI/ML, VP of Engineering/Data, Executive

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Thomson Reuters Institute.