Generative AI is redefining how work is done, how businesses compete, and how entire economies evolve. A new report titled AI and the Global Economy, released in June 2025, provides in-depth insights into how generative AI (GAI) is beginning to impact global labor markets, business productivity, and economic growth. According to the findings, widespread GAI adoption could unlock up to $4.1 trillion in productivity gains in the US economy alone—underscoring the transformative potential of this technology.
Several key sectors in the US, such as manufacturing, education, healthcare, and social work, stand to benefit immensely from AI-powered efficiency and output. The data reveals that companies already using GAI are witnessing real returns, with half of those leveraging it for two years reporting a revenue increase of 10% or more. Notably, medium-sized businesses in the US—those with 200 to 1,000 employees—are emerging as pivotal players in this wave of innovation. With the flexibility to experiment and sufficient scale to implement new technologies, these companies are adopting GAI at impressive rates. Around 56% of them have already integrated generative AI, with 76% reporting time savings and 50% achieving double-digit revenue growth. These firms represent a powerful mid-market tier—large enough to create economic impact, and agile enough to lead digital transformation.
Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) are also showing innovative use of GAI, particularly in areas like product development and customer service. However, only 41% of SMBs globally have adopted GAI tools. Given that these businesses make up over 90% of all enterprises and employ more than half the global workforce, the report emphasizes the critical need to expand their access to AI tools. Strategies such as removing financial barriers, increasing AI training programs, and improving cloud infrastructure access can help SMBs accelerate adoption and fully participate in the AI-driven economy.
While the benefits of GAI adoption are becoming increasingly evident, a growing challenge is also surfacing—the widening gap between AI’s technological potential and the readiness of the global workforce. Over the past eight years, hiring for AI-related roles has quadrupled. “AI Engineer” topped this year’s Jobs on the Rise list, yet fewer than 1% of workers worldwide have engineering-level AI expertise. Furthermore, 60% of companies report that their employees lack the literacy needed to effectively use tools like ChatGPT or Microsoft Copilot. This shortage of AI fluency is particularly concerning in an era marked by economic uncertainty, where efficiency gains are sought without compromising innovation. Companies using GAI are reporting substantial time savings, much of which is being reinvested into areas like research and business development.
These trends point to both a significant opportunity and a pressing challenge. The report calls on business leaders and policymakers to act with urgency to ensure that the potential economic benefits of GAI are realized broadly and equitably. This includes prioritizing upskilling initiatives, ensuring inclusive access to AI technologies, and crafting forward-looking policy frameworks to guide responsible AI development. The promise of generative AI is immense—but its success hinges on strategic integration, workforce readiness, and equitable access.
The full report AI and the Global Economy can be accessed here: https://economicgraph.linkedin.com/content/dam/me/economicgraph/en-us/PDF/ai-and-the-global-economy.pdf. It offers a deeper look at the economic value GAI could bring, the hurdles businesses face, and the coordinated actions needed from both the public and private sectors to prepare the global workforce for the AI age.
