Recently, a study from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Vanderbilt University, and Harvard's Kennedy School revealed that generative artificial intelligence (AI) is infiltrating our daily work lives at an astonishing pace. The study, titled "The Rapid Adoption of Generative AI," shows that the spread of generative AI has already outpaced the early adoption rates of personal computers (PCs) and the internet.
According to the study, 39.4% of Americans aged 18 to 64 have already started using generative AI, with 28% using it at work. This figure starkly contrasts with the early adoption of PCs: it took three years after their introduction for the adoption rate to reach 20%.
Researchers note that the rapid spread of generative AI is primarily due to its low cost and portability, with tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini playing a positive role in its promotion.
Moreover, the use of generative AI is not limited to the tech industry. The study found that employees in many different fields are actively using these tools, with 20% of "blue-collar" workers (such as those in construction, maintenance, and transportation) frequently using generative AI at work. Adoption rates in management, business, and computing professions exceed 40%, indicating widespread application across various industries.
However, the study also points out that the adoption of generative AI could exacerbate workplace inequality. Younger, more educated, and higher-income workers are more likely to use AI at work. Data shows that those with a bachelor's degree or higher are twice as likely to use AI compared to those without a degree, indicating that this technology could intensify existing inequalities in the labor market.
At work, generative AI is not only used for programming and technical tasks; workers also use it for a variety of assignments. For example, 57% of AI users employ it to assist with writing, 49% use it to search for information, and it is also applied in summarizing reports and generating creative ideas. This indicates that generative AI is helping employees save significant amounts of time.
The study suggests that generative AI has the potential to increase labor productivity in the U.S. Currently, it is estimated that between 0.5% and 3.5% of working hours are assisted by generative AI, which could lead to a productivity increase of 0.125% to 0.875%.
However, the authors also caution that these estimates are still speculative, as the adoption phase of generative AI is still in its early stages, and future economic impacts will depend on how deeply this technology becomes embedded in daily work processes.
Key Points:
🔍 39.4% of American adults are already using generative AI, with adoption rates surpassing those of PCs and the internet.
👷 The use of generative AI spans industries, including blue-collar workers, showing broad application potential.
📈 The study predicts that generative AI could enhance labor productivity, but its current impact requires further observation.
