The State of AI in Spend (+ bonus AI skill)

AI use is now nearly universal, but proof of return is not. Our latest research finds 62% of business leaders using AI multiple times per day, yet only 17% report clear ROI from their procurement technology and AI investments.

That 17% is pulling ahead. The State of AI in Spend 2026 documents the widening split between the Builders, who are leaning hard into AI transformation, and the Bystanders, who know change is coming but are still stuck in pilots.

Inside the State of AI:

• Impact patterns: The policies separating Builders from Bystanders, and the 6x ROI gap between wide deployment and piloting
• Shadow AI everywhere: 57% of leaders use AI tools their company hasn't approved. Governance threat, or leading indicator of demand? 
• The new headcount playbook: The top skills teams are hiring for as work becomes AI-enabled
• Procurement's opening: Why a 12-18 month window exists to expand influence as AI governance shifts ownership
• Bonus skill: Every download includes the full survey as an AI skill; load it up and pull stats to address your own team's challenges in seconds

The teams pulling ahead are working from data, not vibes. The State of AI in Spend 2026 shows exactly what they're doing differently.

Download the report.