TIME SAVINGS ADD UP QUICKLY For many survey-takers, the time savings from AI use are already affecting day-to-day operations. With one in four
respondents reporting three to five hours saved during a typical workweek, that amounts to more than 150 hours returned over the course of a year.
With AI saving three to five hours over a typical workweek for 26 percent of respondents, that’ s more than 150 hours returned over the course of a year.
Time Savings from AI
Approximately how much time does AI save you during a typical workweek?
4 %
None
18 %
Less than 1 hour
That time returned is meaningful to the typical spa operator. With those hours back, spas can focus more on what they do best: serving guests, growing the business and supporting staff where they need it most.
AI AND THE GUEST EXPERIENCE: ROOM TO GROW Guest-facing AI may represent the survey’ s most significant untapped opportunity. While AI has been widely embraced for business operations and marketing, 51 percent of spas have not used AI to enhance or support the guest experience.
35 %
1 to 2 hours
26 %
3 to 5 hours
Because the spa industry relies heavily on human connection, and 40 percent of respondents cite concerns about losing the human touch as a barrier to AI adoption, it is understandable why guest-facing AI has yet to be fully deployed among respondents.
8 % 8 %
6 to 10 hours
The leading applications of guest-facing AI include guest feedback and review analysis( 18 percent),
More than 10 hours personalized marketing( 16 percent), and responding to common guest questions( 15 percent). These are all relatively low-risk entry points that augment rather than replace human interaction.
ORGANIZATIONAL POLICIES AND GOVERNANCE REGARDING AI USAGE While organizations have adopted AI at a fast pace, 43 percent of respondents report their organization currently does not have any formal AI policies in place. However, 64 percent report their organizations allow or actively encourage employee AI use.
This presents a significant governance gap that creates an opportunity for spas to educate and protect data integrity while empowering employees to learn the capabilities and boundaries of AI usage. n
AUGUST SNAPSHOT SURVEY
AI: No Longer Optional – It’ s Operational
THE AUGUST 2026 ISPA SNAPSHOT SURVEY gathered 363 responses from August 21 to 31, 2026, examining how ISPA members are adopting artificial intelligence( AI), where they find the greatest value. Nearly half of respondents( 47 percent) use AI multiple times each day. Overall, 55 percent describe themselves as comfortable using AI and 61 percent say it has become a regular part of their work routine. AI is also delivering results, with 59 percent reporting a moderate or significant effect on saving employee time and 60 percent reporting the same for improving productivity.
AI usage among members is strong. Eighty-five percent of respondents are actively using AI in some capacity, and 65 percent use AI daily or multiple times a day.
EXPLORE THE COMPLETE RESULTS Log in at experienceispa. com and visit the ISPA Research Library to access the August 2026 ISPA Snapshot Survey.
PULSE n NOVEMBER 2026 23