Speed And Intensity Of Generative AI Adoption In The US

Generative AI's impact on the economy depends on the speed and intensity of adoption. Adoption of generative AI has been faster than adoption of the PC and the internet, and faster than previous waves of AI such as machine learning and computer vision. A new paper entitled "The Rapid Adoption of Generative AI" by Alexander Bick (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis & CEPR), David J. Deming (Harvard Kennedy School & NBER) and Adam Blandin (Vanderbilt University) reports results from the first nationally representative survey of generative AI use in the US. The data comes from the Real-Time Population Survey, constructed and weighted to be nationally representative following the same survey design as the Current Population Survey, a widely used national data source. In today's newsletter I'm sharing highlights from the survey results.

Highlights

1. Generative AI Usage

• 39% of respondents reported using generative AI during August of 2024.
• 28% use generative AI at work.
• 32% use generative AI outside of work.
• 1 in 9 workers use generative AI daily.

2. Generative AI Usage At Work Demographics

• 32% men
• 23% women
• 34% under 40
• 17% over 50
• 40% workers with a bachelor’s degree or more
• 20% workers without a college degree
• 46% workers who majored in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics
• 40% workers who majored in business, economics, or communication
• 22% workers with all other other majors, including liberal arts and humanities

3. Generative AI Adoption Rate

• Adoption of generative AI has been faster than adoption of the PC and the internet, and faster than previous waves of AI such as machine learning and computer vision.
• Almost 40% of Americans are using generative AI - 2 years after the release of chatGPT.
• 30% of Americans were using the internet - 3 years after the Netscape IPO.
• 20% of Americans were using PCs - 3 years after the IBM PC.

4. Generative AI Usage By Occupation

• 49% in computer, math, and management
• 42% in business and finance
• 38% in education
• 30% in arts, entertainment, sports
• 28% in healthcare
• 22% in blue collar (construction, installation and repair, transportation and moving)
• At least 20% of workers from almost all major occupations use generative AI at work.
• At least 1 in 6 workers in management, business, and computer-related occupations uses generative AI at work every day.

5. Generative AI Usage By Industry

• 51% in finance, insurance, and real estate (highest usage)
• 15% in leisure and accommodation (lowest usage)

6) Generative AI Usefulness At Work

• 38% writing communications
• 27% administrative work
• 23% interpreting/translating/summarizing text or data

7. Generative AI Usefulness Outside Of Work

• 27% writing communications
• 23% interpreting/translating/summarizing
• 21% personal assistance

References

The Rapid Adoption of Generative AI, September 18, 2024

Authors: Alexander Bick (Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis & CEPR), David J. Deming (Harvard Kennedy School & NBER) and Adam Blandin (Vanderbilt University)

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/60832ecef615231cedd30911/t/66f0c3fbabdc0a173e1e697e/1727054844024/BBD_GenAI_NBER_Sept2024.pdf

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Copyright © 2024 Margaretta Colangelo. All Rights Reserved.

This article was written by Margaretta Colangelo. Margaretta is a leading AI analyst who tracks significant milestones in AI in healthcare. She consults with AI healthcare companies and writes about some of the companies she consults with. Margaretta serves on the advisory board of the AI Precision Health Institute at the University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center @realmargaretta