SPI Research opens 2026 AI benchmark survey for professional services

SPI Research has launched its third annual study of AI adoption in professional services, with a 10-minute confidential survey open through Sept. 15. The research will track whether AI is improving delivery, productivity, client outcomes and financial performance across the sector.

Why it matters: - Professional services firms are spending more on AI, but many leaders still need proof that the investment is improving results. - The 2026 benchmark is meant to show where AI is creating measurable value and where expectations are still ahead of outcomes. - The findings will help firms compare their AI strategy with peers and judge progress from experimentation toward structured deployment. - Existing SPI Research customers will get a current AI lens on the operational and financial benchmarks they already use. - Technology partners will get evidence on the capabilities, risks and outcomes professional services organizations are prioritizing.

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 investment is affecting professional services delivery, workforce productivity, client outcomes and financial performance. - Professional services executives, operational leaders and technology decision-makers are invited to participate. - The confidential survey takes about 10 minutes to complete. - Qualified participants will receive the complete 2026 research report by email when it is published.

The details: - The 2026 study builds on SPI Research’s 2024 and 2025 research to create a year-over-year view of AI adoption across professional services organizations. - The survey will examine where AI is creating demonstrable value, where expectations remain ahead of results and how agentic AI is changing operating models. - The research is designed to move the discussion beyond broad AI claims and connect adoption patterns and use cases with operational and financial measures. - The study will look at how organizations are using AI in service delivery, resource management, knowledge work, client engagement and business operations. - It will also assess strategic priorities, implementation risks and performance expectations shaping current investment decisions. - Responses will remain confidential and will be analyzed only in aggregate. - Findings will be segmented where the response base allows, including by organization size, sector and geography. - The survey will assess four areas: hype versus measurable value, leadership priorities, use cases in practice and business impact. - Business impact will include service delivery performance, resource utilization, client satisfaction and profitability. - The survey remains open until Sept. 15. - Participants can complete the survey at the 2026 AI professional services survey. - Organizations can contact SPI Research at info@spiresearch.com to discuss the research, request a briefing or explore how the findings relate to their own performance. - Dave Hofferberth of Service Performance Insight is listed as the contact for media and social links. - SPI Research also provided social links on LinkedIn and Facebook.

Between the lines: - The study reflects a wider industry shift from AI curiosity to proof of return. - By focusing on operational and financial metrics, SPI Research is signaling that AI adoption will be judged less by usage and more by measurable business outcomes. - The inclusion of agentic AI suggests the market is moving beyond basic automation toward more autonomous workflows.

What's next: - SPI Research will collect responses through Sept. 15 and publish the 2026 report afterward. - Respondents who qualify will receive the report by email. - The results are expected to help firms benchmark current AI adoption and identify where implementation is translating into performance gains.

The bottom line: - SPI Research is asking whether AI is improving professional services performance in practice, not just in theory.