91% of companies are building their own AI tools, but fewer than half have a deliberate strategy

New Remote research across eight countries finds companies are building AI tools faster than they can govern them

HONG KONG, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Businesses around the world are building their own AI tools and automations, but most are doing it without a clear strategy to support it, reveals new research from Remote, the financial operating system for the global workforce.

Remote's latest global survey of 3,250 business and HR leaders finds that 91% of organisations built internal tools, automations, or workflows instead of buying off-the-shelf software in the past 12 months. The trend holds across almost every market surveyed: Australia (97%) and Singapore (96%) lead, followed by Germany (95%), the UK (94%), the US (93%), France (90%) and Spain (87%). The Netherlands is the clear outlier at 74%.

Building custom tools in sensitive areas like payroll and people operations needs governed, compliant infrastructure to keep personal data protected. Most plan to build more: 90% of organisations intend to rely more on custom-built tools over the next two years, led by Singapore (96%), Australia (94%), the US (94%) and the UK (93%).

But much of this building is happening without a plan. Fewer than half (46%) of organisations view custom AI development as a deliberate strategy, while just as many (46%) are building on an ad hoc basis, solving problems as they come up. Germany (54%) and the US (52%) are the most likely to treat building as a deliberate strategy. The Netherlands (28%), Singapore (37%) and Spain (38%) are the least likely.

An ad hoc approach becomes a business risk when teams keep adding tools that don't share data or controls. Without a clear owner, these tools can lead to errors and compliance gaps, particularly when they influence sensitive decisions or financial workflows. Many already see the risk: 33% cite regulatory compliance concerns as a barrier to getting more value from AI, rising to 40% in the UK and 39% in the US. 30% say their data, processes, or knowledge systems are not ready for AI.

Eli Chuah, APAC Senior Consultant at Remote, said: "Companies in almost every market we surveyed have shown they can build the workflows they need and most plan to build more. Now they need to apply the same rigour as they would to any system holding employee data, with a clear owner and compliance built in from the start. Without that, tools meant to save time can create legal and operational exposure instead. Areas that are particularly sensitive like payroll need infrastructure built for compliance, especially for companies that employ people in more than one country."

Globally, 21% of organisations use AI for payroll support, though adoption varies widely by market. It's highest in the UK and Australia (27%) and the Netherlands (25%), followed by Germany (22%), the US (21%), Singapore and Spain (19%), and France (16%). While adoption is still early, payroll errors carry legal and financial consequences. Payroll depends on accurate workforce data, strong controls and knowledge of local regulations in every country where a business pays people. Any custom tool that touches payroll needs reliable, compliant infrastructure beneath it.

The challenge for businesses is turning experimentation into a deliberate strategy. Remote's compliant payroll and employment infrastructure, available in 150+ countries, is open for companies and their AI agents to build on, so teams can create the tools they need without losing control of sensitive financial and workforce operations.

Key findings from 3,250 business and HR leaders across eight countries:

• 91% have built internal tools, automations, or workflows instead of buying off-the-shelf software in the past 12 months, ranging from 97% in Australia to 74% in the Netherlands.
• 90% expect to increase their reliance on building custom tools over the next two years.
• Only 46% say building their own tools is a deliberate strategy; another 46% are building on an ad hoc basis.
• Germany (54%) and the US (52%) are the most likely to treat building as a deliberate strategy; the Netherlands (28%) is the least likely.
• 33% cite regulatory compliance concerns as a barrier to getting more value from AI, rising to 40% in the UK and 39% in the US.
• 30% say their data, processes, or knowledge systems are not ready for AI.
• 21% name payroll support as a main use of AI in HR, ranging from 27% in the UK and Australia to 16% in France.

Remote's latest research is based on an international survey of 3,250 business leaders of companies across eight countries: the USA, UK, Spain, Singapore, the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Australia.

Learn more about Remote at www.remote.com.

Methodology: The research was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Remote in June 2026 and is based on interviews with 3,250 business and HR leaders (director level and above) with decision-making responsibility for recruitment of staff across the UK, USA, Spain, Singapore, Netherlands, Germany, France, and Australia.

About Remote: Remote is the financial operating system for the global workforce. Tens of thousands of companies rely on Remote to hire and pay talent in 150+ countries through our Global Payroll, Employer of Record (EOR), Contractor Management, and Professional Employer Organization (PEO) solutions. Remote's compliant global infrastructure is open for companies and their AI agents to build on, backed by a singularly accountable partner and in-country experts at every step. Learn more at www.remote.com.

SOURCE Remote