Only 18% of US firms use AI, but federal statistics can't yet track its labor impact
robseamans · x · 2026-11-09
Rob Seamans shares a Center for Data Innovation article arguing that US federal statistics are inadequate for measuring AI's impact on work.
- The Census Bureau's 2026 AI supplement found 18% of businesses use AI in at least one function, covering 32% of US employment; 57% of adopters use it in three or fewer functions, most often sales/marketing, business development, and IT.
- Firm-level adoption data can't reveal which workers use AI, which tasks change, time saved, or effects on hiring and wages.
- The article urges statistical agencies to improve measurement and leverage private-sector data like ADP payroll records, citing Stanford research showing entry-level employment already being affected.
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