The AI Strategy Execution Gap Is Costing Firms Now

Most organizations have an AI strategy. Far fewer can execute it. That gap, between planning and delivery, is now generating measurable costs in talent retention, client satisfaction, and competitive position. That is the headline finding of the 2026 Future of Professionals Legal report from Thomson Reuters, based on responses from more than 736 law firm professionals across 46 countries.

The report argues that having an AI strategy is no longer a differentiator. The real question is whether firms can act on it, and what they are losing while they cannot.

Key Takeaways

• Strategy alone does not drive results: Firms with an AI strategy are twice as likely to see AI-driven revenue growth. But more than a third of professionals report being unable to execute on their firm's stated strategy, largely due to a lack of provisioned, trusted tools.
• Shadow AI is a symptom: When firms do not provide vetted AI tools, professionals use whatever is available without controls. 96% say safeguarding confidential data is non-negotiable; 94% require verifiable AI outputs; 90% need AI that displays explainable reasoning. Prohibition without provisioning drives behavior underground.
• Client expectations have moved: 78% of corporate clients say AI-enabled quality is now essential or very important. Only 6% believe most providers are delivering on it. Critically, 32% say they will reconsider their provider relationships if AI quality does not improve.
• What executing firms do differently: The firms pulling ahead are provisioning trusted AI tools, setting outcome-driven goals tied to revenue and client satisfaction, and treating change management as a core discipline rather than an afterthought.

The report frames AI execution as a narrowing window. Firms that benchmark AI performance systematically and invest in people alongside technology are creating compounding advantages. Those still experimenting without accountability structures are falling behind on multiple fronts simultaneously.

Read the full article on Thomson Reuters Legal Solutions