Krux
March 2, 2026
Law Firms Double AI Adoption, 82% Still Don't Track ROI
Published: March 2, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Updated: March 2, 2026 at 6:07 PM
100-word summary
Professional services firms doubled AI adoption to 40% in 2026, according to a Thomson Reuters survey of 1,500 professionals across legal, tax, and accounting. The catch? Only 18% actually measure return on investment, and another 40% don't even know if anyone's tracking it. Meanwhile, two-thirds of clients want their lawyers using AI, but fewer than a third know whether it's happening. The disconnect extends to firms themselves: 40% report getting contradictory guidance from different clients about AI use. The gap between enthusiasm and accountability suggests the industry is building on faith, not data.
What happened
Professional services firms doubled AI adoption to 40% in 2026, according to a Thomson Reuters survey of 1,500 professionals across legal, tax, and accounting. The catch? Only 18% actually measure return on investment, and another 40% don't even know if anyone's tracking it. Meanwhile, two-thirds of clients want their lawyers using AI, but fewer than a third know whether it's happening. The disconnect extends to firms themselves: 40% report getting contradictory guidance from different clients about AI use.
Why it matters
The gap between enthusiasm and accountability suggests the industry is building on faith, not data.