Global survey shows only 17% of organisations have operationalised AI despite widespread experimentation; governance gaps and weak knowledge systems slowing progress
A new global study from iManage, the company behind the Knowledge Work platform used by leading professional services firms, reveals that organisations with strong, well‑governed knowledge foundations are significantly outperforming peers in AI adoption, growth, and client trust. The iManage Knowledge Work 2026 Benchmark Report, based on responses from 3,185 business and technology decision-makers across 26 countries, shows that while 85% of organisations are piloting or using AI, only 17% have embedded AI into daily operations.
The research, covering sectors including legal, accounting, financial services, and asset management, underscores a widening gap between AI ambition and actionable impact. According to iManage, the differentiating factor is not access to AI tools but the maturity of an organisation’s knowledge systems and governance practices.
“AI success isn’t about who experiments fastest it’s about who has done the foundational work,” Laura Wenzel, Global Insights Director at iManage.
“AI success isn’t about who experiments fastest it’s about who has done the foundational work,” said Laura Wenzel, Global Insights Director at iManage. “Organisations with mature knowledge environments deploy AI more consistently, mitigate risks more effectively, and earn deeper trust from clients and employees.”
AI maturity driving tangible business outcomes
The study finds that organisations with high knowledge maturity are nearly twice as likely as their peers to report year‑over‑year revenue growth and are significantly more likely to self-report stronger profitability. Customer expectations are also shaping AI strategy: 57% of respondents say clients influence AI deployment, rising to 74% among knowledge‑mature firms.
Governance gaps remain a major inhibitor
Despite enthusiasm around AI, governance remains a stumbling block. Nearly one‑third of organisations reported a policy-impacting incident linked to unregulated AI tools, while almost 30% delayed AI adoption due to security concerns. The report notes that weak governance tends to amplify existing organisational risks.
AI enhancing roles, not replacing them
The data also finds that 57% of respondents believe AI is primarily enhancing existing roles rather than eliminating them. Yet productivity challenges remain: professionals still spend an average of 37 minutes per day searching for information despite high confidence in their knowledge systems.
RSGi Executive Director Reena SenGupta noted that the findings validate what leading firms already understand: “Investment in knowledge systems, architecture, and AI is no longer optional competitive advantage is now firmly with the advanced knowledge organisations.”