AI adoption in global mobility soars

Four-fifths of surveyed organisations are using AI, in some form, in managing their global mobility programmes. That is a significant shift, as only two years ago, the same amount reported almost no AI use at all. ECA's Global Mobility Now 2026 survey, drawing on responses from 302 mobility professionals worldwide, reveals an industry in transition, with usage outpacing governance. 

Broad but shallow adoption

AI use has jumped from roughly one in five organisations to 79% in two years. However, things are slightly more nuanced than this finding.Around 61% of organisations are using AI ‘informally’, at an individual level, to reduce time on everyday tasks. Only around 6% have embedded AI into structured global mobility workflows. So, while the technology is being used, the infrastructure to manage it responsibly is often lacking. ECA’s survey also reveals that AI governance is uneven. While 61% of organisations have formal AI use policies in place, approximately one in ten do not govern AI use at all. Digging deeper into the findings, fewer than half (49%) said they have ‘a full AI use policy in place and compliance is monitored’. So, while it is most common to have a full policy with compliance monitored, we see a situation where over half of organisations aren’t checking even if they have a policy. Further, over a third either have informal guidance or nothing at all. This leaves a meaningful proportion of global mobility programmes where employees may be using AI tools, including large language models (LLMs), without oversight or data protection guardrails. 

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Budget constraints biggest barrier to progress

Wider digital transformation projects are slow to progress, with IT budget constraints emerging as the most frequently cited barrier, the survey found. Other challenges include governance issues, data quality concerns, skills gaps, trust, and platform immaturity. Half of all organisations still operate without a dedicated mobility platform. 43% invest incrementally, constrained by budget rather than ambition. Spreadsheets remain a common tool in programmes that are managing genuinely complex, multi-jurisdiction compliance obligations.Tom Harvey, Director of AI and Data Transformation at ECA, says: "The speed of AI adoption across global mobility has been rapid, but speed without structure creates risk. Too often what we're seeing is organisations using AI informally, to work faster, without yet having the frameworks in place to ensure that work is accurate, compliant and auditable. It’s concerning that AI tools, including LLMs, are being used inconsistently, with varying levels of oversight, validation and data protection control.

Download the Global Mobility Now 2026 report

The Global Mobility Now 2026 survey covers AI adoption, compliance tracking, employee experience, diversity in mobility and programme growth expectations. Download a sample of the report and explore the findings in detail herewww.eca.global.Methodology: The Global Mobility Now 2026 survey was conducted by ECA, drawing responses from global mobility, HR and reward professionals across multiple sectors and regions, and 302 respondents participated. 

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About ECA

ECA is a world leader in Global Mobility. We provide unparalleled data, consultancy, and purpose-built technology, that empowers your decision-making, reducing risk and protecting your employees. We help organisations navigate the complexities of managing a global workforce, ensuring they stay ‘on top of the world’. Our solutions are trusted by customers around the world; we help address their global mobility challenges and achieve impactful results. Whether it’s end-to-end move management, business travel, or remote work tracking, our world-leading data and expert consultancy have you covered. ECA Expert seamlessly integrates all aspects of global mobility into one intuitive solution, from onboarding, business travel to immigration and tax compliance.

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