AI adoption has reshaped how employees work. However, the productivity gains have not reshaped how businesses perform. According to the World Economic Forum, about two-thirds of firms actively use AI, yet roughly 89% reported no measurable improvement in labor productivity over the past three years. The tools are present. The gains are not.
The adoption curve is steep. According to the Census Bureau, 18% of firms used AI in a business function between November 2025 and January 2026, rising to 32% on an employment-weighted basis. Use is concentrated in large firms and knowledge-intensive sectors.
