More than 276,000 KPMG employees in 138 countries will gain access to the Claude AI assistant through a new strategic alliance with Anthropic, representing one of the largest-scale deployments of an AI assistant within a professional services firm. KPMG is initially integrating Claude into its software, prioritizing applications for tax and legal clients, and demonstrating a focused approach to applying AI within complex, regulated areas. “At KPMG, we’re innovating and redefining how work gets done,” said Bill Thomas, Global Chairman and CEO, KPMG International. Beyond internal use, the firms will co-build new Claude-powered products specifically for private equity portfolio companies, extending the partnership into a revenue-generating offering.
KPMG’s 276,000+ Workforce Integrates Anthropic’s Claude
KPMG’s decision to grant access to Anthropic’s Claude to its entire 276,000-person workforce represents a large-scale investment in generative AI within the professional services sector. The firm is embedding Claude directly into Digital Gateway, the software platform used daily by KPMG professionals and their clients, beginning with tools designed for tax and legal work. This integration signifies a move beyond experimentation toward operationalizing AI across core business functions, a strategy supported by two years of internal adoption within KPMG’s US-based AI and Data Labs. The alliance extends beyond internal use, with Anthropic designating KPMG as a preferred partner for private equity firms.
This collaboration will focus on co-building new Claude-powered products tailored for portfolio companies, effectively positioning KPMG as a deployment consultant for AI solutions within its client’s investments. “Our clients depend on us where accuracy, judgment, and knowledge matter most,” said Tim Walsh, Chair and CEO of KPMG US. “AI is changing how we deliver—trust and innovation are the core of this new offering and we’re proud to partner with Anthropic to deliver incredible value to our clients and our people.” KPMG’s approach emphasizes a “human in the loop” philosophy, informed by joint research with the McCombs School of Business at UT Austin.
This research highlights that the value of AI is derived from how employees interact with and leverage it, not solely from the technology itself. “We find that the greatest value comes not just from technical adoption, but from the ways employees exercise judgment, shape workflows, interface with the technology, evaluate its outputs, and make decisions with AI,” explained Ethan Burris, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at UT Austin. The firm is also applying Claude to cybersecurity, utilizing the AI to identify and remediate vulnerabilities within critical systems, guided by KPMG’s established Trusted AI framework.
Digital Gateway Platform Embeds Claude Cowork and Managed Agents
KPMG’s integration of Anthropic’s Claude into its platform marks a substantial shift in how professional services firms are leveraging generative artificial intelligence, extending beyond isolated experiments into core operational workflows. The platform, built on Microsoft Azure, consolidates KPMG’s tax expertise, proprietary tools, and client data, now enhanced with Claude Cowork and Managed Agents. This allows professionals to construct new AI capabilities directly within a unified environment, dramatically reducing development timelines. “Building an AI agent to help clients adjust to changing tax regulations used to take weeks and required teams to switch between multiple tools and chat windows,” explained Rema Serafi, Vice Chair, Tax at KPMG US. “With Cowork and Managed Agents integrated in Digital Gateway, that same capability takes minutes. This is a different way of working.” This deployment isn’t limited to streamlining existing processes; KPMG is actively co-building new Claude-powered products, initially focusing on tax and legal clients, signaling a strategic prioritization of complex, highly regulated areas. The scale of this rollout positions KPMG as a significant early adopter, demonstrating a firm-wide commitment to AI integration. This includes a new offering, KPMG Blaze, which leverages Claude Code to accelerate the modernization of legacy IT systems and expedite the development of AI-enabled technologies.
They’re rolling Claude out to 276,000 people across the business, and using it for client work in tax and private equity.
Daniela Amodei, Co-founder and President of Anthropic
KPMG Blaze Modernizes IT Systems for Private Equity Clients
KPMG is extending its strategic alliance with Anthropic beyond internal workflows and into a revenue-generating service for private equity clients, specifically targeting the modernization of aging IT infrastructure. This move signals a deepening commitment to integrating artificial intelligence directly into the operational fabric of businesses owned by private equity firms, promising a significant reduction in implementation timelines. The impetus behind KPMG Blaze stems from the recognition that many portfolio companies are hampered by outdated IT systems, hindering their ability to compete effectively in rapidly evolving markets. Traditionally, overhauling these systems could take months, requiring teams to navigate multiple tools and communication channels. This isn’t simply about technological implementation; KPMG is also emphasizing responsible AI deployment, guided by its Trusted AI framework. This focus on the interplay between human expertise and AI capabilities positions KPMG Blaze as more than just a technical upgrade, but a holistic approach to driving value for private equity investments.
This global alliance with Anthropic reflects our shared commitment to responsible AI, prioritizing security, trust, and governance as KPMG firms scale these capabilities to our clients and people around the world.
Bill Thomas, Global Chairman and CEO, KPMG International
