New research from Kaufman Rossin in midmarket reveals a significant gap between early AI adoption and long-term outcomes, and a four-step framework to help executives close the gap.
miami, May 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Kaufman Rossin, a top 50 CPA and advisory firm in the United States and the largest independent CPA and advisory firm in Florida, today released “The State of Artificial Intelligence in the Mid-Market,” its first annual report on how mid-market companies are implementing, scaling, and creating lasting value with artificial intelligence. This report reveals significant gaps in midmarket AI strategies. While adoption is nearly universal, the infrastructure, governance, and organizational alignment needed to drive enterprise-wide outcomes remains elusive for most businesses.
Key findings:
Generative AI adoption is nearly universal among midsize businesses, but fragmented implementation poses new challenges. 94% of midsize businesses are already using generative AI. However, implementation is occurring in silos. Different departments and even individual employees are making their own decisions about which tools to deploy. this decentralized This approach overwhelms management and complicates enterprise-wide strategy.
The most common use case today focuses on accelerating knowledge work. As AI programs mature, agent-based AI applications are on the horizon, indicating a shift toward more autonomous and task-driven implementations.
Although most organizations have moved beyond experimentation, scaling remains elusive. The report found that 83% of midmarket companies have progressed from initial efforts to conducting planned trials and embedding AI into core processes. However, only 2% of companies are operating AI at scale. This clearly shows that most organizations are still missing the building blocks for enterprise-wide AI transformation.
There are three main barriers preventing companies from scaling their AI programs:
- AI skills gap: Access to qualified talent remains limited
- Cybersecurity concerns: Risk management considerations slow adoption
- Legacy system integration: Connecting AI tools to existing infrastructure poses significant technical challenges.
Measuring ROI remains a universal challenge. Among companies using AI, the most frequently cited benefit is time savings. However, quantifying the economic return from investments in AI remains a challenge for nearly all organizations.
ROI is uncertain, but investment is accelerating. Most midsize companies believe that generative AI is essential to their future competitiveness and are planning to increase their spending on AI. This reflects a strategic approach to implementing AI even as measurement frameworks continue to evolve. These findings highlight an important inflection point. Midmarket leaders recognize the transformative potential of AI, but face significant AI adoption challenges as they move from pilot programs to large-scale operations.
“AI is advancing faster than any organization can fully assess it,” said Mark Feigelson, incoming CEO of Kaufman Rossin. “The enthusiasm and investment is real, and the opportunity is now critical.” “We help our clients develop thoughtful AI strategies for their organizations based on what they’ve tested, refined, and validated themselves. We’re practitioners and advisors first, and that’s exactly what’s needed right now.”
To help executives assess where their companies stand and how to move forward, the report introduces Kaufman Rossin’s proprietary AI Maturity Framework. This framework categorizes businesses into four stages. Testers running structured pilots to evaluate AI applications. Builders expanding successful pilots and building the underlying infrastructure. Operators are fully operationalizing AI across the enterprise with measurable ROI.
Kaufman Rossin’s four-pillar execution framework outlines the requirements for sustainable AI transformation for organizations at all stages, including use cases and pilots, data and platform strategy, governance, and people and culture.
“AI can be a powerful force for optimization, transformation, and innovation, but only if organizations are intentional about how they use AI,” said Vera Nieuwland, Digital and AI Transformation Services Leader at Kaufman Rossin. “Companies that find lasting value are clear about the business outcomes they want to achieve, focus on the right use cases, and commit to guiding their people through change.”
Kaufman Rossin’s AI and Digital Transformation practice serves as a trusted partner for midmarket leaders looking to drive their AI programs with confidence. Whether assessing the current state of their AI strategy, developing a roadmap, or leveraging technology to transform processes and business units, Kaufman Rossin advisors help executives navigate complexity and turn early wins into lasting competitive advantage. To download the State of Artificial Intelligence in the Middle Market report, visit kaufmanrossin.com/state-of-ai-in-middle-market.
About Kaufman Rossin
At Kaufman Rossin, we maintain independence in our designs. For more than 60 years, we’ve been partner-owned and operated, and we intend to continue to be. It all starts with our people-first culture and our commitment to serving our clients for the long term. We provide CPA and advisory services to businesses and their leaders, including entrepreneurs, mid-market businesses, and individuals. We bring independent perspective, innovative ideas and superior service to every job we do. Our customer satisfaction ratings have earned us the “Best Accounting Award” every year. With eight offices in the U.S. and around the world, clients around the world, and more than 700 team members delivering great results every day.
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