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Professional services firm Grant Thornton UK has announced the launch of generative artificial intelligence technology across its entire UK workforce this summer as part of a £500m investment programme.
The new programme is aimed at transforming how work is delivered and increasing its focus on advisory services.
The firm said it will roll out Claude, developed by Anthropic, to all partners and employees across its audit, tax, advisory and support functions between June and August.
The deployment forms part of Grant Thornton’s newly launched GT Augment framework, which sets out the firm’s approach to AI governance, standards and ways of working.
The company said the move makes it one of the first major UK accountancy firms to embed generative AI across its entire workforce.
The technology will be used to support tasks such as analysing information, drafting documents and synthesising large volumes of data, allowing employees to spend less time on routine processes and more time providing insight and strategic advice to clients.
The investment comes as professional services firms face increasing pressure to demonstrate the value of their expertise as advances in artificial intelligence automate many administrative and process-driven tasks.
The rollout will be introduced in phases throughout the summer and will be supported by training programmes and governance measures designed to ensure the technology is used responsibly.
Alongside the rollout, Grant Thornton plans to open a Digital Experience Centre in London later this year.
The facility will allow clients to collaborate with the firm on technology-enabled approaches to business transformation and service delivery.
David Gartside, chief digital officer at Grant Thornton UK, said: “The firms that win won’t be the ones talking the most about AI. They’ll be the ones using it so well it barely gets mentioned. This isn’t about AI theatre. It’s about changing how work gets done in ways clients can feel, even if they don’t see the mechanics behind it.”
Malcolm Gomersall, chief executive of Grant Thornton UK, added. “AI will make client outcomes stronger by helping us to deliver more insight, challenge and advice, which is always grounded in our deep experience.”
