The rapid adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) tools in the workplace is reshaping employment and productivity growth, according to new survey findings from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. The survey reveals that generative AI is being adopted as quickly as personal computers were in the 1980s, highlighting both its transformative potential and the uncertainties surrounding its long-term impact on productivity.
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis conducts a quarterly survey of businesses within the Fed’s Eighth District to assess economic conditions. The May 2026 survey included special questions on AI adoption, exploring why some businesses have limited or no use of the technology and its expected effects on the workforce and productivity over the next year.
The findings underscore the significant implications of AI adoption for the future of work. While the pace of adoption is rapid, the survey suggests that the productivity gains from AI remain uncertain, echoing historical patterns seen with previous technological advancements.