Companies are pushing ahead with artificial intelligence implementation before fully understanding the operational risks and long-term legal and business implications, according to Womble Bond Dickinson’s 2026 global client survey.
The survey found that clients are increasingly focused on AI governance and AI-driven cybersecurity threats, with concerns extending to real world impacts such as legal exposure from rapid AI deployment, environmental issues related to data centres and the impact of delegating critical decisions to automated systems. The fragmented regulatory backdrop is also adding to their concerns.
However, despite this rising complexity, 42% of respondents said their AI plans have not changed, while 33% said they were unsure how federal policy would impact them. Among those pushing ahead, 40% worry about a lack of regulatory clarity, while 31% complained about the absence of a cohesive federal AI framework.
WBD said: “The survey makes clear that organisations are operating in a world where implementation is outpacing understanding. Leaders remain committed to emerging technologies – especially AI – but with growing awareness that success in the ‘Algorithm Economy’ requires more than speed. It requires disciplined decision‑making, governance and risk management built fast enough to keep pace with technologies that promise significant value but are not yet fully understood.”
Organisations are worried about tech-related regulatory and compliance risks, saying they are very concerned about using fair and unbiased AI systems (52%), preparing for data breaches and cybersecurity incidents (48%) and integrating privacy safeguards into digital products (47%). Another 43% ranked building and maintaining internal AI governance as ‘very concerning’, while 41% fret about keeping pace with cross-jurisdictional regulatory change.
WBD said the top two areas where clients are seeking guidance are balancing technology implementation with compliance (57%) and weighing risk versus reward (54%).
Meanwhile, clients reported technology-related risk is translating directly into enforcement and litigation concerns, with 77% worried about defending against data breach and privacy claims and 73% concerned about responding to AI and cybersecurity inquiries. Another 72% are concerned about navigating digital compliance audits and enforcement, while 60% are worried about AI-related liability and class actions.
While only 3% of respondents said they are not confident about their ability to manage evolving AI enforcement, 48% said they were unsure or neutral. Just under half (49%) said they were confident.
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