AI is Ready but Firms are Not: How Falling Behind on AI Implementation is Costing Clients and Talent

Thomson Reuters (Nasdaq/TSX: TRI) released its 2026 Future of Professionals report, highlighting a widening gap between AI ambitions and execution across legal, tax, audit and risk sectors.

Rhea-AI Summary

Thomson Reuters (Nasdaq/TSX: TRI) released its 2026 Future of Professionals report, highlighting a widening gap between AI ambitions and execution across legal, tax, audit and risk sectors.

Findings include $143 billion of U.S. client revenue under reconsideration and significant talent and “shadow AI” risks.

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News Market Reaction – TRI

In the Jun 22 session, TRI declined 2.58%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement frames AI execution as a material issue, with up to $143 billion of U.S. client re...

Analysis

This announcement frames AI execution as a material issue, with up to $143 billion of U.S. client revenue and 24% of talent at risk. It builds on prior AI initiatives; key risks are execution speed and converting adoption into measurable value.

Key Figures

Revenue at risk: $143 billion Talent at risk: 24% of professionals Unsanctioned AI use: One third of professionals +5 more

Revenue at risk

$143 billion

Client revenue in U.S. legal and accounting under reconsideration

Talent at risk

24% of professionals

Considering leaving within two years if AI expectations not met

Unsanctioned AI use

One third of professionals

Lawyers, accountants, compliance staff using AI not approved by firms

Survey sample size

1,800 professionals

Global survey for 2026 Future of Professionals report

Weekly AI usage

74% of professionals

Using AI tools every week

Perceived AI shortfall

91% of professionals

Believe their organizations fall short of AI’s potential

Client AI expectations

78% of clients

View AI-enabled quality improvements as very important or essential

Providers meeting AI bar

6% of clients

Say most providers deliver expected AI-enabled improvements

Previous AI Reports

5 past events · Latest: May 27

Same Type 5 events

1. May 27

   AI standards launch

   24h Move

   -1.9%

   Introduced Fiduciary-Grade AI standard for high-stakes professional workflows.

2. Feb 24

   AI adoption update

   24h Move

   +11.4%

   Reported one million CoCounsel users across 107 countries and territories.

3. Jan 13

   AI alliance launch

   24h Move

   -1.9%

   Formed Trust in AI Alliance with major cloud and AI partners.

4. Nov 05

   AI product expansion

   24h Move

   -1.6%

   Unveiled expanded agentic AI solutions across tax, audit, legal and compliance.

5. Nov 04

   AI integration deal

   24h Move

   -5.9%

   Joined NetDocuments ndConnect to integrate CoCounsel Legal into secure workflows.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Key Terms

shadow ai, fiduciary-grade ai, professional-grade ai, authoritative content

4 terms

shadow ai technical

"Shadow AI is creating risk exposure"

Shadow AI describes employees using artificial intelligence tools or services without formal approval, oversight, or integration into official systems — for example, personal subscriptions, free web apps, or browser add-ons. For investors this matters because these hidden tools can expose sensitive data, create compliance or legal problems, produce unreliable results, and lead to unexpected costs or reputational damage, much like an unapproved gadget in a factory that creates safety and billing surprises.

fiduciary-grade ai financial

"Thomson Reuters defines this as Fiduciary-Grade™ AI, built on authoritative, domain‑specific content"

An AI described as "fiduciary-grade" is a software system designed to meet the legal and ethical standard of acting in the best interest of clients when giving financial advice or managing assets. It combines strong security, transparent decision-making, independent audits and safeguards against bias so investors can trust recommendations much like they would trust a vetted, regulated adviser or a certified professional handling their money.

professional-grade ai technical

"Yet 41% lack access to professional-grade tools that meet these standards."

Professional-grade AI is artificial intelligence built for business use, with higher reliability, data protection, scalability, and integration than consumer apps — like a commercial oven versus a home toaster. It matters to investors because it can boost productivity, reduce costs, enable new products or services, and carries different legal and operational risks; adoption or failure affects a company’s revenue potential, competitive position, and regulatory exposure.

authoritative content technical

"built on authoritative, domain‑specific content; rigorous privacy and security"

Authoritative content is information that is accurate, verifiable, and produced or vetted by experts or trusted sources; it clearly cites evidence, standards, or official data and avoids speculation. For investors, authoritative content matters because it reduces uncertainty and helps separate reliable facts from rumors—like using a certified map rather than word-of-mouth directions when navigating financial decisions—supporting better risk assessment and investment choices.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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• New research warns of $143 billion in revenue at risk in the U.S. alone, as clients expect AI-driven value from providers
• Companies at risk of losing 24% of talent within two years if their firms fail to deliver on AI
• At the same time, one third of lawyers, accountants and compliance professionals are using unsanctioned AI, creating invisible risks organizations cannot monitor or control

TORONTO, June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomson Reuters (Nasdaq/TSX:TRI), a global content and technology company, today released its 2026 Future of Professionals report which warns of the financial cost of failing to effectively implement AI across the legal, tax and audit and risk professions. The findings, based on a global survey of 1,800 professionals, show a widening gap between AI ambition and reality, one that is now carrying material consequences with up to $143 billion in client revenue at risk in the U.S. alone* and talent considering leaving.

"We're seeing a clear divide emerge," said Steve Hasker, President and CEO of Thomson Reuters. "Firms that are operationalizing 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 adoption is not the issue. 74% of professionals are already using AI tools every week, but organizations are struggling to translate that usage into real value. In fact, 91% of professionals believe their organizations are falling short of what AI can deliver, leading to unintended consequences such as one-third of lawyers, accountants, and compliance professionals saying they turn to unsanctioned tools, creating invisible, unmanaged risk.

Even where an AI strategy exists, execution is lagging: 35% say ambitions are not reflected in their day-to-day work, and nearly one in five say their organization still lacks a clear strategy. This gap between promise and reality is beginning to affect talent, with one in four professionals saying they would consider leaving within two years if they don't see the value they expect. Clients are reaching the same conclusion: 78% now see AI-enabled quality improvements as essential, yet just 6% believe most providers are delivering. As a result, nearly a third are preparing to reassess those provider relationships within the next 12 months.

These pressures are building faster than many leaders recognize, and are showing up in three interconnected areas:

Shadow AI is creating risk exposure

• A third of lawyers, accountants and compliance professionals are using AI their organization has not approved, rising to 41% among those who say their organization is moving too slowly on AI.
• 96% say their AI must safeguard confidential data, 94% require verified authoritative content, and 90% need outputs they can explain and defend.
• Yet 41% lack access to professional-grade tools that meet these standards.

 Talent is leaving

• One in four professionals (24%) who are experiencing a gap between what AI technology is capable of, and what their organization is delivering are considering leaving within two years; and 13% within 12 months.
• Yet almost half of senior leaders believe meaningful talent pressure is still at least three years away.
• 62% say access to professional-grade AI would be a factor in accepting a new role. Among those already using it, nearly one in three would turn a role down without it.

Clients are not waiting

• 78% of corporate clients now consider AI-enabled quality improvements very important or essential, yet just 6% say most of their providers deliver it.
• Within 12 months, 32% will be reconsidering provider relationships, with a third putting more than $1 million in annual work at risk, amounting to a combined ~$143 billion in U.S. legal and accounting revenue under active reconsideration based on AI delivery.

"Not all AI is created equal. In professions where there is real liability, the standard has to be much higher," said Steve Hasker, President and CEO of Thomson Reuters. "When outputs shape legal judgments, regulatory filings, or client advice, 'almost right' isn't good enough. That's why we build what we call Fiduciary‑Grade AI, technology professionals can verify, trust, and ultimately stand behind." 

Read the full Future of Professionals report 2026 here.

The technology is ready. The gap is in execution, and the benchmark is now accountability. Thomson Reuters defines this as Fiduciary-Grade™ AI, built on authoritative, domain‑specific content; rigorous privacy and security; subject-matter expertise; outputs that are transparent and verifiable; and access to real-time human support.

About Thomson Reuters
Thomson Reuters (TSX/Nasdaq: TRI) informs the way forward by bringing together the trusted content and technology that people and organizations need to make the right decisions. The company serves professionals across legal, tax, accounting, compliance, government, and media. Its products combine highly specialized software and insights to empower professionals with the data, intelligence, and solutions needed to make informed decisions, and to help institutions in their pursuit of justice, truth, and transparency. Reuters, part of Thomson Reuters, is a world leading provider of trusted journalism and news. For more information, visit thomsonreuters.com.

About the Future of Professionals Report 2026
Now in its fourth year, the Thomson Reuters Future of Professionals Report is an annual study of how technology is reshaping professional work. The findings in the 2026 report are based on a global survey of 1,816 professionals across law, tax, audit, accounting, compliance, risk, and global trade, conducted in March - April 2026. Respondents span private practice firms as well as in-house corporate and government departments across 62 countries. For more information visit http://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/institute/future-of-professionals-2026/report.  

Notes to Editors
* According to Future of Professionals data, within 12 months, 32% of corporate clients will be reconsidering their professional service provider relationships, with a third saying this will put more than $1 million in annual work at risk. Applied to the U.S. legal and CPA markets, this puts a combined ~$143 billion in client revenue in active reconsideration.

Media Contact
Samina Ansari, Corporate Communications
Samina.ansari@thomsonreuters.com

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SOURCE Thomson Reuters

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What does the Thomson Reuters (TRI) 2026 Future of Professionals report reveal about AI risks?

The report warns of major revenue, talent and compliance risks from poor AI execution. According to Thomson Reuters, up to $143 billion in U.S. legal and accounting revenue is under reconsideration as clients reassess providers based on AI-enabled value and quality.

How much client revenue is at risk according to the Thomson Reuters (TRI) AI study?

According to Thomson Reuters, about $143 billion in U.S. legal and accounting revenue is under active reconsideration. Nearly a third of corporate clients plan to reassess providers within 12 months, often with more than $1 million in annual work at stake.

What does the Thomson Reuters (TRI) report say about AI adoption versus value creation?

The study finds AI adoption is high but value realization is lagging. According to Thomson Reuters, 74% of professionals use AI weekly, yet 91% believe their organizations are not delivering its full potential, driving unsanctioned tool use and growing operational risk.

How is weak AI implementation affecting talent retention in the Thomson Reuters (TRI) survey?

Poor AI execution is linked to higher turnover risk. According to Thomson Reuters, 24% of professionals seeing a gap between AI’s capability and delivery may leave within two years, while 62% say access to professional-grade AI would influence accepting a new role.

What does the Thomson Reuters (TRI) research show about corporate client expectations for AI?

Corporate clients increasingly expect AI-driven quality improvements from providers. According to Thomson Reuters, 78% consider AI-enabled quality very important or essential, yet only 6% say most providers deliver, prompting 32% to reconsider relationships within 12 months.

What is Fiduciary-Grade AI in the context of the Thomson Reuters (TRI) report?

Fiduciary-Grade AI is Thomson Reuters’ term for higher-standard professional AI systems. According to Thomson Reuters, it relies on authoritative content, strong privacy and security, subject-matter expertise, transparent and verifiable outputs, and real-time human support for accountable use.