RSM Middle Market AI Survey 2026: U.S. and Canada
RSM US's RSM Middle Market AI Survey 2026: U.S. and Canada (July 2026; n=1,030, fielded Mar 5–16, 2026) found that 36% have AI fully embedded across core processes.
Key findings
- 0186% have partially or fully integrated AI into operations, and 97% say they are satisfied with the business value AI delivers.
- 02Only 36% have AI fully embedded across core processes; about half of recent pilots produced moderate or limited results.
- 03Data quality (34%), security or privacy (30%) and legacy integration (28%) are the most-cited barriers to deploying AI; 58% plan to invest $1M or more this fiscal year.Among firms whose pilots had moderate or limited success, 53% blamed data quality and 47% integration. (p. 2)
By the numbers
36%have AI fully embedded across core processes
51%of those who ran AI pilots in the prior two years called their success moderate or limited
58%plan to invest $1 million or more in AI this fiscal year
What it means for you Draft
For executives at $10–100M companies
Most mid-market peers say they are 'doing AI', but only about a third have it built into how core work actually gets done. For a $10–100M firm, the useful question is probably not whether to adopt, but which one or two core processes to rebuild properly. Cleaning up data and integrations first looks like the unglamorous work that separates pilots from results.
Limitations
Medium trust.Solid sample with ±3.1% margin of error disclosed; RSM sells AI consulting, and 'satisfaction' framing likely flatters adoption.
About the publisher: Sells AI strategy and implementation consulting.
The headline figure measures the “In core work” stage of adoption (running in key processes).Why adoption numbers disagree
RSM US. "RSM Middle Market AI Survey 2026: U.S. and Canada." July 21, 2026. https://rsmus.com/insights/services/digital-transformation/rsm-middle-market-ai-survey.html
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