US Firms Lag Behind EMEA in AI Adoption for Compliance
Recent research indicates that North American firms are significantly trailing their EMEA counterparts in the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within compliance departments. The study reveals that a substantial 56.3% of compliance departments in North America are hesitant to adopt AI technologies, compared to over 70% of firms in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
Current AI Utilization in Compliance Workflows
The report highlights that 33.3% of EMEA respondents and 32% of North American respondents are currently employing AI in their compliance workflows. Interestingly, the rest of the world (RoW) showcases a slightly higher adoption rate at 41.2%, indicating a more proactive approach towards AI technology.
Despite some North American firms beginning to shift their perspective on AI, the data illustrates a marked reluctance to embrace these technologies for compliance. Previous surveys indicated that 65.9% of North American firms expressed no intentions of adopting AI, in contrast to 72.7% of EMEA firms who were ready to embrace AI solutions.
Impact of Regulatory Environments
One of the primary factors influencing AI adoption in compliance is the regulatory framework. The EU AI Act aims to provide clear guidelines for the utilization of AI, thus encouraging firms in EMEA to adopt these technologies. Conversely, the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken a ‘technology-neutral’ stance, which may lead North American firms to reconsider their approach to AI integration.
According to insights from industry experts, advancements in AI technology are rapidly changing the compliance landscape. Don McElligott, Vice-President of Compliance Supervision at Global Relay, states, “Recent technological advances in AI are moving the needle quickly when it comes to adoption, although AI is still generally perceived as difficult, expensive, and only marginally effective for risk detection use cases.”
Communication Management and Compliance Risks
Despite the cautious stance on AI, there is significant usage of AI for managing communications and surveillance, driven by the SEC’s ongoing enforcement initiatives. These efforts aim to address off-channel communications and related misconduct, revealing a complex relationship between compliance and technology.
The study also highlights differing opinions on banning communication channels as a compliance solution. While 50.6% of North American firms consider bans effective, only 31.7% of EMEA firms share this view. This trend indicates a shift towards enabling and monitoring all communication channels rather than imposing bans.
In 2025, 39% of firms are likely to allow all communication channels while monitoring them, a significant rise from 17.4% in 2024. Additionally, there is a decline in the belief that bans are effective, with only 48% of respondents supporting this view in 2025, down from 56% in 2023.
Evolving Compliance Challenges
As the compliance landscape evolves, only 29.5% of respondents cite adherence to compliance policies as a major issue, a significant drop from 65.2% in 2024. Meanwhile, 52.4% view social media channels as a substantial compliance risk.
This comprehensive study demonstrates the significant geographical divide in AI adoption, with North American firms displaying considerable hesitancy compared to their EMEA counterparts. As organizations recognize the value and effectiveness of AI solutions, it will be crucial to monitor changes in attitudes and adoption rates in the coming years.
