{
  "id": 16014621,
  "title": "Relx defies AI disruption fears as growth holds firm",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/relx-defies-ai-disruption-fears-as-growth-holds-firm",
  "topic": "ai",
  "section": "AI",
  "published": "2026-10-22T07:03:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/relx-defies-ai-disruption-fears-as-growth-holds-firm/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "LexisNexis owner Relx has reported a surge in sales growth despite concerns that artificial intelligence could disrupt its business. The UK-listed business reported underlying revenue growth of seven per cent in the first nine months of 2026, with all four divisions contributing to the increase. Its legal division, in particular, led the gains, with a 10 per cent rise in sales as law firms ramped up their use of AI-powered research tools. Relx has reaffirmed its full-year forecast, projecting growth in revenue, profit and earnings per share.\n\nThe update comes after a tumultuous year for the £51bn group, as shares have been impacted by a broader sell-off of software and data businesses amid fears that AI could render their services obsolete. LexisNexis shares plummeted earlier this year following the unveiling of Anthropic's new AI tools, which could automate legal work and raise concerns about the future of traditional research platforms. This so-called \"SaaSpocalypse\" affected several London-listed software firms, including Sage, causing investors to question whether established providers could compete with advanced AI models.\n\nHowever, Relx argues that its extensive repository of specialized data gives it an edge over emerging AI competitors, enabling it to develop products that customers are willing to pay more for. Thursday's figures suggest demand remains robust, though the long-term threat from AI rivals has yet to be tested. Growth in Relx's risk division, which offers fraud detection, identity verification and financial crime services, rose by eight per cent. Its scientific, technical and medical division expanded by six per cent, fueled by demand for digital research tools and surging submissions to its academic journals. The company highlighted the rapid growth in usage of its recently-launched AI research platform, Leapspace. Meanwhile, the exhibitions division saw four per cent growth, although the Middle East's disruption impacted events. Relx anticipates profit growth to outpace revenue growth across its legal, risk and scientific divisions this year.",
  "summary": "FTSE 100 data giant Rex has reported a jump in sales growth as demand for its AI-powered products continues to rise, defying fears that the technology could threaten its business. The London-listed group, which owns legal research platform Lexisnexis, said on Thursday that underlying revenue rose seven per cent in the first nine months of [...]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}