SPI Research opens 2026 survey on AI in professional services

SPI Research has opened its third annual benchmark study on how AI is affecting professional services organizations, with findings aimed at separating hype from measurable performance gains. The confidential survey takes about 10 minutes and runs through Sept. 15, with participants receiving the full report by email.

Why it matters: - Professional services firms are spending more on AI, but leaders still need proof that the investment is improving delivery, productivity, client outcomes and financial results. - The 2026 study is meant to help organizations compare their AI strategy with peers and see whether adoption is moving from experimentation to structured deployment. - The research is intended to show whether AI is creating measurable value in service delivery, workforce performance and business operations.

What happened: - SPI Research opened participation in the third annual Impact of AI in Professional Services Benchmark Survey on July 22, 2026. - The independent study will examine how AI is affecting professional services delivery, workforce productivity, client outcomes and financial performance. - Professional services executives, operational leaders and technology decision-makers are invited to complete the confidential survey. - The survey takes about 10 minutes to finish. - Qualified participants will receive the complete 2026 research report when it is published. - The survey remains open until Sept. 15. - Participants can complete the survey at the 2026 AI professional services survey. - Organizations can request a briefing or discuss the findings with SPI Research at info@spiresearch.com.

The details: - The 2026 study builds on SPI Research’s 2024 and 2025 research to provide a year-over-year view of AI adoption across professional services organizations. - The survey will assess where AI is creating demonstrable value, where expectations are ahead of results and how agentic AI is changing operating models. - The study will examine how organizations are using AI in service delivery, resource management, knowledge work, client engagement and business operations. - The research will also look at strategic priorities, implementation risks and performance expectations shaping current investment decisions. - All responses will be kept confidential and analyzed only in aggregate. - Findings will be segmented where the response base allows by organization size, sector and geography. - The survey will gather evidence on where AI is improving performance and where expected benefits have not yet materialized. - The study will measure leadership priorities, including the opportunities, risks and operating changes that matter most to executives. - It will also examine current use cases, including applications that support employees, automate tasks and enable advanced workflows such as agentic AI. - Business impact will be evaluated through measures such as service delivery performance, resource utilization, client satisfaction and profitability.

Between the lines: - The study is positioned as a response to a familiar problem in AI adoption: plenty of interest, but uneven evidence of business impact. - SPI Research is also signaling that professional services leaders want benchmarks tied to hard operating metrics, not broad claims about innovation. - For existing SPI Research customers, the report will add an AI lens to benchmarks they already use to track operational and financial performance. - For technology partners, the findings should clarify which capabilities, risks and outcomes professional services firms are prioritizing.

What's next: - SPI Research will close the survey on Sept. 15 and publish the 2026 report later. - Respondents will get the report directly by email. - SPI Research will use the results to show how professional services firms are progressing in AI adoption and where measurable gains are emerging. - The company said organizations interested in the research can request a briefing or discuss how the findings relate to their own performance.

The bottom line: - SPI Research wants to turn the AI conversation in professional services from hype to evidence.