NEW YORK — Accenture on Wednesday released detailed productivity metrics from its ongoing rollout of Microsoft's AI assistant Copilot across its global workforce, offering the clearest enterprise-scale data yet on how generative AI tools affect knowledge-worker output. The professional services giant, which has deployed Copilot to 100,000 employees and is targeting 200,000 by year-end, said workers using the tool reported an average 22% reduction in time spent on routine documentation, summarisation, and email drafting tasks.

The figures, presented at a joint briefing with Microsoft executives in New York, are expected to intensify pressure on competing consultancies including Deloitte, PwC, and McKinsey to accelerate their own AI deployment timelines and disclose comparable data. Accenture said 97% of employees surveyed reported using AI in some capacity, with Copilot now integrated into Teams, Outlook, and internal project management platforms.

Microsoft Chief Commercial Officer Judson Althoff joined Accenture leadership at the briefing, describing the collaboration as a 'proof point for enterprise-wide AI transformation at scale.' He noted that Accenture's deployment had informed improvements in Copilot's enterprise configuration tools, which Microsoft plans to make available to other large clients in the coming months.

The announcement arrives as the AI disclosure gap in professional settings draws increased scrutiny. A study published this week found that a majority of researchers using AI in academic work fail to disclose it, a concern that analysts say extends to consulting deliverables and professional services more broadly. Accenture's transparency push is partly a strategic differentiator, signalling to clients that its AI use is measurable, auditable, and governed.

Industry observers said the productivity figures, while self-reported and subject to methodological caveats, represent a meaningful benchmark. 'This is the first time a firm of this size has published structured before-and-after data on a Copilot deployment,' said Forrester analyst Rowan Curran. 'It will set expectations for what boards and clients ask every major consultancy to demonstrate going forward.' Microsoft shares ticked up modestly in early Wednesday trading following the briefing.