For the past few years, professionals in the human services industry have explored the potential of AI (artificial intelligence) to help manage staffing shortages and rising documentation demands. While other sectors adopted AI quickly, our field has been more cautious due to strict regulations and the person-centered nature of supporting individuals.
At the 2026 Therap National Conference in early February, we polled attendees on their AI usage and management. The results confirm a tipping point: organizations are moving beyond consideration and actively implementing AI to meet today’s challenges.
Sentiment: How I/DD Professionals Feel About AI
When asked about their initial reactions to AI, attendees showed an overall cautious optimism:
51% were “Excited,” viewing AI as a tool that will make a difference at their organization
32% were “Curious,” ready to explore ways AI can help streamline daily operations
17% were “Skeptical,” still unsure of how AI can be used safely and ethically in their agency
Adoption: Who Is Using AI Now?
Our survey results indicate that a significant number of I/DD professionals and agencies are already leveraging AI. In fact, 52% of attendees confirmed that AI tools are currently in use at their organization, signaling that many agencies have officially made the jump from interest to implementation. According to surveyed attendees, the following use cases have emerged as the most valuable:
Narrative Summarization: Save staff time by transforming lengthy daily notes into concise, actionable summaries that are easier to review and share.
Administrative Efficiency: Assist with cleaning and organizing administrative data, as well as with tasks like drafting job descriptions amid increased staff turnover.
Person-Centered Planning: Act as a creative partner for staff, helping them brainstorm ideas for personalized supports that align with an individual’s unique abilities and goals.
Policy: Are Agencies Managing AI Use?
While adoption is high, many agencies are still in the early stages of developing formal policies for AI use. This represents a significant opportunity for leaders to get ahead of the curve by establishing clear frameworks that support their teams:
Only 32% of agencies reported having an internal policy that explicitly addresses
56% have no formal policy at all, highlighting a need for guidance to help staff use these tools safely and effectively.
Note: an additional 12% were unsure if they had policies
The Bottom Line
The feedback from attendees of the 2026 Therap National Conference indicates that the “wait and see” approach to AI is over. Providers are exploring and implementing ways for AI to improve their teams’ workflows. However, as the survey highlights, usage is often outpacing governance. For ANCOR members and industry leaders, the challenge for the remainder of 2026 is not just “how to use” AI, but how to responsibly weave it into internal processes.
At Therap, we are consulting with providers around the country about how to best introduce AI tools. Whether your team is excited, curious, or skeptical, we are happy to engage in a conversation with you about the potential benefits and considerations surrounding AI.
Michelle Saunders is the Associate Director of Business Development at Therap Services.
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