SPI RESEARCH STUDY
The Impact of AI in Professional Services
A benchmark of what’s working, what’s stalling, and what you should do next.
AI is moving from experiment to expectation in professional services. Based on insights from 146 PS organizations, this benchmark report shows AI is already embedded in 26% of projects—and 38% among high performers.
The gap is widening. And the difference isn’t better tools. It’s better fundamentals: data discipline, clear workflows, and teams trained to apply AI inside delivery.
Inside the report, you’ll learn:
- Where AI is creating measurable gains across the services lifecycle
- What’s slowing progress the most
- What’s the average first-year ROI, and when can you expect payback
- What’s next: the shift toward agentic automation—and why proprietary knowledge will matter more than ever
Key SPI Report findings include:
AI is moving from pilot to practice
AI is active in 26% of projects—and 38% among high performers. The gap isn’t tooling. It’s operational readiness.
The real barrier is readiness
Data quality, governance, and delivery discipline determine whether AI scales—or stalls. Where do you stand?
Measurable returns. Structural shift.
With 9.5% average first-year ROI and payback in ~18 months, AI is delivering value today—while setting the stage for agentic automation tomorrow.