The 2026 GRC Benchmarking Report: AI Integration Remains Elusive for Teams

On July 8, 2026, Onspring released its latest GRC Benchmarking Report, shedding light on the current state of AI integration within Governance, Risk, and Compliance (GRC) teams across various sectors. The report is based on insights gathered from practitioners specializing in cybersecurity, risk, compliance, finance, and legal matters. It emphasizes the urgent necessity for organizations to successfully harness AI technology amidst growing demands for productivity and efficiency.

In a rapidly evolving business environment, the report highlights the stark reality that only 13.5% of GRC teams have fully embedded AI in their core workflows. This statistic underscores the gap between interest and implementation. While organizations are eager to explore the potential of AI, many remain hindered by systemic workflow fragmentation and other barriers that prevent a seamless integration.

Key Findings of the Report

High Interest, Limited Adoption

Despite the excitement surrounding AI, the report notes that nearly 45% of organizations remain stuck in the experimental phase, with 16.7% not using AI at all. These numbers reflect a widespread hesitation to fully commit to AI solutions, as numerous teams grapple with practical execution amidst fractured processes.

Trust Barriers Stalling Growth

One of the significant challenges identified is trust. GRC teams face considerable friction regarding data security and output reliability. The report indicates that 28.6% of practitioners cited data privacy concerns, while 25.4% pointed to inaccuracies in AI outputs as critical factors limiting wider AI deployment.

The Burden of Manual Tasks

Repeating manual tasks also emerged as a major concern. Activities like evidence collection, risk assessments, and third-party reviews consume valuable time and resources. According to respondents, these operations account for a significant drain on internal efficiency, distracting professionals from more crucial strategic analysis.

AI Value Yet to Materialize

Moreover, the report reveals that the financial return on AI investments is still developing, with only 16.7% reporting noticeable financial ROI. Early indicators suggest that the operational gains, such as reduced business cycle times and increased task throughput, are more evident than immediate cost savings.

The Path Forward

To overcome these hurdles, organizations are urged to transition toward integrated GRC operations. This involves simplifying compliance frameworks, establishing centralized vendor ecosystems, and creating cohesive evidence repositories. As risk profiles fluctuate and grow more complex, maintaining multiple frameworks across disconnected systems is no longer feasible.

Companies must prioritize establishing robust internal data preparation and automated safeguards to unlock the potential benefits of enterprise AI fully. The report emphasizes the necessity of addressing these foundational issues in order to transition from experimentation to effective, trusted execution of AI in GRC.

Conclusion

The 2026 GRC Benchmarking Report serves as a call to action for organizations to evaluate their current use of AI and identify areas for improvement. As interest in AI continues to grow, so too must the efforts toward its practical application across GRC functions. For a detailed examination of how your organization compares to others in AI adoption, you can access this year’s report through Onspring’s website.

About Onspring

Onspring is a premier provider of integrated GRC software solutions, empowering organizations to connect processes, data, and teams more effectively. With their adaptable platform, Onspring supports businesses in transitioning from reactive to proactive governance strategies. Learn more about their innovative solutions at www.onspring.com.