Middle market organizations are investing in artificial intelligence and reporting strong satisfaction with the technology. However, organizations still face challenges scaling AI to achieve measurable business impact. Companies are not measuring transformation or enterprise impact. They are measuring the success of use cases and taking a pragmatic approach to AI.
The RSM Middle Market AI Survey 2026: U.S. and Canada aggregated the responses of 827 U.S. and 203 Canadian middle market executives across a variety of industries.
What the survey reveals:
- 86% of respondents say AI is integrated into operations, yet only 36% have it fully embedded across core processes.
- 97% report satisfaction with AI’s business value, but many organizations are measuring early wins instead of enterprise-wide outcomes.
- Data quality (34%), security and privacy concerns (30%), legacy systems integration (28%), and talent or skills gaps (28%) remain top barriers to AI deployment.
- 85% say leadership is more enthusiastic than employees are about AI, highlighting the need for effective change management and workforce readiness.
The underlying issue is not the technology—it is the operating model. Organizations are investing more in AI investment, but spending alone will not deliver lasting value.
Data quality, governance and integration are the biggest barriers to scaling AI. Organizations that want to scale AI and make more of an impact on their businesses will need to focus on governance, measurement, workforce readiness, integration and change management.
The middle market’s pragmatism has produced tangible results. Organizations have adopted AI broadly, invested significantly and built early confidence. But to adapt what has been successful and make it successful at scale is the next phase of the journey.
Download the complete RSM Middle Market AI Survey here.
RSM US is the leading provider of assurance, tax and consulting services for the middle market. To connect with a local RSM advisor in Utah, reach out to Jim Cronauer.