As AI adoption accelerates across industries, a new global study suggests that success isn’t about who moves fastest; it’s about who has the right foundations in place.
According to new research from iManage, organisations with mature knowledge systems are significantly outperforming their peers when it comes to growth, client trust and scalable AI adoption. Based on a survey of 3,185 decision-makers across 26 countries, the findings highlight a widening gap between companies that have invested in knowledge infrastructure and those still playing catch-up.
AI Is Everywhere, But Real Impact Is Rare
AI may dominate boardroom conversations, but most organisations are still struggling to turn experimentation into real business value.
The report finds that 85% of firms are already piloting or using AI, yet just 17% have fully integrated it into daily operations. This gap between ambition and execution is becoming one of the defining challenges of 2026.
As Laura Wenzel, Global Insights Director at iManage, explains, “what this data shows is that AI success isn’t about who experiments fastest – it’s about who has done the foundational work.”
While many businesses are testing tools and exploring use cases, only a small minority are embedding AI into workflows in a way that delivers consistent, scalable outcomes.
Organisations with well-structured, governed knowledge systems are far more likely to move beyond pilots and into meaningful deployment, thus turning AI from a concept into something operational.
Knowledge Foundations Are Driving Growth And Trust
The study makes one thing clear: knowledge management is not just an operational concern anymore – it’s a competitive advantage.
Companies with higher levels of knowledge maturity are more likely to report revenue growth, profitability and stronger financial performance. They’re also significantly more likely to position themselves as market leaders compared to less mature peers.
Importantly, these organisations are also building greater trust with clients. Customer demand is increasingly shaping AI strategies, with 57% of businesses saying clients influence their AI adoption, rising to 74% among the most mature firms.This reinforces the idea that trust, governance and transparency are becoming just as important as innovation itself.
As Wenzel adds, “organisations with mature knowledge environments are better positioned to deploy AI consistently, govern it responsibly, and earn trust from both clients and employees. Without that foundation, AI simply amplifies existing friction and risk.”
The Hidden Cost Of Poor Knowledge Management
Despite growing confidence in AI, many organisations are still grappling with basic operational inefficiencies.
Professionals spend an average of 37 minutes per day searching for information, even though 86% say they are confident they can find what they need. This disconnect highlights a key issue: knowledge may exist within organisations, but it isn’t always easily accessible or usable.
At the same time, governance remains a concern. Nearly one-third of organisations report experiencing policy-impacting incidents linked to unregulated AI tools, while many have delayed adoption due to security concerns.
As AI becomes more embedded in daily operations, these gaps are becoming harder to ignore. Without proper governance, businesses risk amplifying inefficiencies and exposing themselves to compliance and security challenges.
AI Is Enhancing Roles, Not Merely Replacing Them
While fears around AI-driven job losses persist, the data paints a more balanced picture.
The majority of respondents (57%) say AI is primarily enhancing existing roles, rather than replacing them. In many cases, AI is improving productivity, automating repetitive tasks and enabling professionals to focus on higher-value work.
For organisations with more mature knowledge systems, the benefits are even clearer. That is, with stronger productivity gains and more effective AI-enabled workflows reported across the board.
Build the Foundations, Then Scale the AI
Perhaps the most important takeaway from the report is that AI alone isn’t a silver bullet. It’s not a fix-all solution that can be added without care and, due diligence and hard work.
While many organisations are planning further investment in document and knowledge management systems, the research makes it clear that tools alone won’t deliver results. What matters is how effectively knowledge is governed, connected and activated across the business.
In 2026, the companies pulling ahead aren’t necessarily the ones experimenting the most with AI. It’s the ones that are building on something solid.
