The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is happening at an unprecedented speed, with 40% of employees in the US already using AI at work, doubling from 20% in 2023. This rapid growth reflects AI's usefulness, deployability on existing digital infrastructure, and ease of use.
AI usage varies significantly across regions, with high-income countries like Singapore and Canada leading the way, while emerging economies like India and Nigeria lag behind. Countries with high AI adoption rates show diverse applications across education, science, and business, whereas lower-adoption countries tend to focus more on coding tasks.
The usage patterns of AI are also evolving, with educational and scientific tasks rising. Educational tasks surged from 9.3% to 12.4%, and scientific tasks from 6.3% to 7.2%. Users are entrusting AI with more autonomy, with "directive" conversations jumping from 27% to 39%.
The uneven geography of AI adoption raises concerns about economic convergence, potentially increasing global economic inequality if productivity gains concentrate in high-adoption economies. As AI continues to transform the workforce and economy, it's essential to understand its impact and ensure that its benefits are shared widely.
The report highlights the need for policymakers and business leaders to address the disparities in AI adoption and ensure that the benefits of AI are accessible to all. By doing so, we can mitigate the risks of economic inequality and unlock the full potential of AI to drive growth and innovation.
