The AI Adoption Reality Check: Firms with AI Strategies are Twice as Likely to see AI-driven Revenue Growth; Those Without Risk Falling Behind

Rhea-AI Summary

Thomson Reuters (Nasdaq/TSX: TRI) has released its 2025 Future of Professionals report, revealing organizations with visible AI strategies are twice as likely to experience revenue growth from AI adoption compared to those without. Despite clear benefits, only 22% of organizations have a defined AI strategy. The study, based on 2,275 global professionals, projects that AI users will save 5 hours weekly within the next year, potentially generating $32 billion in combined annual value for U.S. legal and CPA sectors.

Key findings show 80% of professionals expect high AI impact over 5 years, with 53% already seeing ROI. However, 3 in 10 professionals believe their organizations are moving too slowly on AI adoption, while 4 in 10 are implementing AI without a strategy. The report also highlights that 88% of professionals prefer profession-specific AI assistants.

Positive

• Organizations with AI strategies are twice as likely to experience revenue growth from AI adoption
• 53% of organizations already seeing ROI from AI implementation
• Projected $32B annual value opportunity in U.S. legal and CPA sectors
• AI expected to save professionals 5 hours weekly, worth $19,000 annually per person
• Thomson Reuters investing $200M annually in AI integration

Negative

• Only 22% of organizations have a visible, defined AI strategy
• 30% of professionals say their organizations are moving too slowly on AI adoption
• 40% of organizations adopting AI without a proper strategy
• 46% of organizations report skills gaps in technology and data competencies

Insights

AI and Business Strategy Analyst

Thomson Reuters' research reveals strategic AI adoption delivers twice the revenue growth, yet 78% of organizations lack a defined AI strategy.

Thomson Reuters' 2025 Future of Professionals report highlights a critical AI adoption gap across professional service industries. Organizations with visible AI strategies are twice as likely to experience revenue growth from AI adoption and 3.5 times more likely to see critical AI benefits compared to those without strategic implementation. Yet strikingly, only 22% of organizations have defined AI strategies.

The research indicates professionals using AI will save 5 hours weekly within the next year (up from 4 hours in 2024), creating approximately $19,000 in annual value per professional. For U.S. legal and CPA sectors alone, this translates to a potential $32 billion combined annual impact—$20 billion in legal and $12 billion in accounting.

Despite 80% of professionals believing AI will transform their profession within 5 years, only 38% expect significant changes at their own organizations this year—revealing a substantial perception gap between industry transformation and organizational readiness. More than half (53%) report already seeing ROI from AI adoption.

Thomson Reuters is positioning itself at the forefront of professional AI development, investing $200 million annually in responsible AI integration across its solutions. The company's emphasis on ethical AI development, supported by established governance structures and updated Data and AI Ethics Principles, demonstrates a strategic commitment to responsible innovation in professional services technology.

This comprehensive report effectively signals Thomson Reuters' evolving business model toward higher-value AI solutions, creating potential for expanded margins and recurring revenue streams as professional service firms increasingly require specialized AI tools to remain competitive.

NEW Thomson Reuters survey data reveals that only a quarter of organizations have a visible AI strategy. Time savings from AI could see a $32 billion opportunity on the table for the legal and tax industries in the U.S. alone

TORONTO, June 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Thomson Reuters (Nasdaq/TSX: TRI), a global content and technology company, today released its 2025 Future of Professionals report, which reveals a significant divide between organizations* that have adopted an AI strategy and those that have not. The report, based on input from 2,275 global professionals across legal, risk, compliance, tax, accounting, audit and global trade, shows that organizations with visible AI strategies are twice as likely as those with more informal or ad hoc adoption approaches to experience revenue growth as a direct or indirect result of AI adoption, and 3.5 times more likely to experience critical AI benefits, compared to those with no significant AI adoption plans at all. However, despite the clear benefits, only 22% state their businesses have a visible, defined AI strategy, meaning many organizations may be missing out on the advantages of strategically integrating AI. Without a coherent plan that aligns AI initiatives with organizational priorities, these businesses risk falling behind in achieving meaningful returns and competitive growth.

Globally, survey respondents across industries also predict that professionals using AI will save 5 hours weekly within the next year, up from 4 hours predicted in 2024, unlocking an average of $19,000 in annual value per person, according to our study's overall findings. In the U.S. alone, this AI-driven efficiency could translate to a $32B combined annual impact for the legal & CPA sectors.

"Professional work is now being shaped by AI, and those who fail to adapt risk being left behind," said Steve Hasker, President and CEO of Thomson Reuters. "Our research shows that organizations with AI strategies are seeing significant returns on investment, while those without are struggling to keep pace. The $32 billion value opportunity in the U.S. is a wake-up call for organizations to prioritize strategic AI adoption and investment. By developing a strategy to drive both AI adoption and redeploy the productivity gains we expect to unlock, organizations will achieve sustained innovation, greater operational excellence, and revenue growth—while empowering professionals not just to be more productive, but to remain relevant."

The report highlights three key themes: Bridging the gap between tech today and business tomorrow; the jagged edge of AI adoption; and the modern professional. Key findings include:

Bridging the gap: 80% of professionals believe AI will have a high or transformational impact on their profession over the next 5 years, but only 38% expect significant change at their own organization this year. More than half (53%) of professionals said their organizations are already seeing ROI as a direct or indirect result of their AI adoption, with improved efficiency and productivity being the most common benefits.

The jagged edge: 3 in 10 professionals say their organizations are moving too slowly on AI adoption, and 4 in 10 organizations are adopting AI without a strategy. The report reveals a significant disparity in AI adoption, with some organizations experiencing significant benefits while others struggle to implement AI effectively.

The modern professional: 55% of professionals have experienced significant changes in their work in the past year, or expect to in the coming year, and 46% report skills gaps on their teams, mainly in technology and data competencies. 88% of professionals favor having profession-specific AI assistants, highlighting the growing importance of AI in professional work.

To access the full report, visit https://www.thomsonreuters.com/en/c/future-of-professionals

Methodology:
Research was conducted in February and March 2025 via an online survey of 2,275 professionals across the globe from the legal, tax, trade, accounting, and risk & compliance fields, among others, employed by corporations, firms, and government agencies. Geographies included in the survey include North America, Latin America, the UK, Europe and APAC.

*In this report, organization is the generic term used to describe: i) firms, for those in private practice; ii) corporations, for corporate C-Suite; and iii) in-house departments, for corporate and government professionals

Notes to Editor:

Survey respondents to our 2025 Future of Professionals study predict that AI usage will save professionals an average of 5 hours per week over the next year, an increase from 4 hours predicted in 2024. This enhanced efficiency represents an average annual value of $19,000 per professional across our diverse survey respondents. For the U.S. market specifically, these time savings translate into an estimated annual cumulative impact of $20 billion for the legal industry and $12 billion for the CPA industry. Our report further details significant AI-driven value across other key global markets.

Thomson Reuters – Investing in Artificial Intelligence:

Thomson Reuters is at the forefront of delivering professional-grade AI, including agentic AI, in the fields of legal, tax, trade, accounting, risk, fraud, compliance, and news. Thomson Reuters is delivering this through its build, partner, buy strategy, investing $200 million annually over the next few years to integrate responsible AI into its flagship content and technology solutions. 

With thousands of colleagues employed in the field of data science, engineering, designers and UX specialists and analysts, Thomson Reuters provides a trusted and secure GenAI experience for its customers. The company's generative AI capabilities are built on more than 30 years of advancements in machine learning and natural language processing technology and over 125 years of professional expertise. This is all underpinned by a comprehensive collection of editorially-enhanced content.

The company's commitment to AI is also reflected in the comprehensive governance structures it has in place exampled by its updated Data and AI Ethics Principles, which guides its approach to AI development and deployment. With a focus on responsibility, safety, and transparency, Thomson Reuters is dedicated to creating AI solutions that not only augment professional capabilities but also adhere to the highest ethical standards.

Thomson Reuters is also investing in AI learning and development programs for its 26,000 colleagues globally, delivering ongoing training and access to technology built in alignment with its AI and Data Principles. In addition, the organization also created Distinguished Scientist and Engineering pathways to ensure Labs colleagues can continue to grow in their careers as they help grow TR's solutions.

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 tr.com.

CONTACT

Lindsay Bomar
Corporate Communications
Lindsay.Bomar@thomsonreuters.com

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SOURCE Thomson Reuters

FAQ

What are the key findings of Thomson Reuters' 2025 Future of Professionals report regarding AI adoption?

The report reveals that organizations with visible AI strategies are twice as likely to experience revenue growth and 3.5 times more likely to experience critical AI benefits. However, only 22% of organizations have a defined AI strategy.

How much potential value could AI generate for the U.S. legal and CPA sectors according to Thomson Reuters?

According to the report, AI-driven efficiency could generate a $32 billion combined annual impact for the U.S. legal and CPA sectors, with $20 billion for legal and $12 billion for CPA industries.

What is the expected time savings from AI implementation according to the TRI report?

Professionals are expected to save 5 hours weekly within the next year, up from 4 hours predicted in 2024, potentially generating $19,000 in annual value per person.

How much is Thomson Reuters (TRI) investing in AI development?

Thomson Reuters is investing $200 million annually over the next few years to integrate responsible AI into its content and technology solutions.

What percentage of professionals expect AI to impact their profession according to the Thomson Reuters study?

80% of professionals believe AI will have a high or transformational impact on their profession over the next 5 years, while 88% favor having profession-specific AI assistants.