Spanish Firms Face AI Compliance Gaps as Consulting Demand Rises

Entelgy's recent survey of 300 C-suite executives in Spain reveals a significant compliance gap regarding the EU AI Act, with 31.7% of large enterprises taking no steps toward adherence. This finding highlights a critical issue as businesses face impending regulatory deadlines, making AI governance a pressing concern in boardrooms. The survey's results have garnered extensive media attention, amplifying the conversation around AI compliance and governance.

The survey indicates that among companies that have initiated compliance efforts, professional training is the most common measure, adopted by 70.7%. However, the establishment of governance committees and internal usage policies lags significantly, at 47.3% and 33.7%, respectively. This trend suggests that many enterprises view compliance as a training issue rather than a comprehensive organizational challenge. Alfredo Zurdo, Entelgy's Director of Digital Change, emphasizes that compliance cannot be achieved merely through software purchases; it requires a fundamental shift in organizational policies and management commitment.

The timing of this survey aligns with a broader industry trend. According to the Futurum Ecosystems, Channels, and Marketplaces Decision Maker Survey, 86.7% of channel partners selling AI consulting services anticipate growth in this area by 2026. This positions AI consulting as one of the most competitive service categories. With over half of surveyed partners already offering AI consulting, the market is becoming increasingly crowded, necessitating differentiation through specialized services, particularly in regulatory compliance.

Entelgy's integrated AI Governance offering is strategically designed to meet this demand. The firm aims to provide comprehensive services that encompass regulatory diagnosis, AI use case inventory, risk classification, governance model design, policy definition, vendor evaluation, team training, and a continuous improvement roadmap. This holistic approach positions Entelgy to capture enterprise demand that point-solution vendors may struggle to address, especially as the regulatory landscape evolves.

The Channel Ecosystems market is projected to grow significantly, reaching $25.7 billion by 2026, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 36% from 2022 to 2029. Within this expanding market, compliance-led AI consulting represents a defensible niche, driven by the need for cross-functional expertise and ongoing engagement as regulatory frameworks mature. Entelgy's offering aligns with this need, providing a framework that not only addresses compliance but also fosters organizational transformation.

As the conversation around AI governance shifts from IT departments to executive leadership, the implications for channel partners are profound. Companies that can effectively combine regulatory expertise with organizational change capabilities will be better positioned to thrive. The competitive landscape will likely see a surge in firms packaging EU AI Act compliance as a distinct service line, particularly as regulatory deadlines approach.

Looking ahead, the conversion rate of non-compliant enterprises seeking external consulting versus attempting in-house remediation will be crucial to monitor. Additionally, the upcoming regulatory milestones in late 2026 and early 2027 could serve as catalysts for increased demand for governance engagements. As the market matures, firms like Entelgy that can expand their AI Governance model beyond Spain to other EU markets with similar compliance challenges will likely find new growth avenues. The evolution of AI governance will not only shape regulatory compliance but also redefine competitive dynamics within the consulting landscape.