6,000 CEOs Admit AI 'Did Nothing', Yet It Was Used to Lay Off 40,000 People in Q1 This Year
A study by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) surveying 6000 executives across four countries reveals that nearly 90% of businesses report AI has had "no measurable impact" on employment or productivity over the past three years. Despite global AI investments exceeding $250 billion in 2024, only 12% of CEOs reported both cost reductions and revenue growth from AI.
Contrastingly, in Q1 2026, the industry saw 78,557 tech job cuts, with 47.9% attributed to AI and automation. Critics label this contradiction an "AI version of the Solow Paradox," referencing the visible lack of AI's effect in productivity data amid widespread adoption.
While some leaders, like Anthropic’s CEO, predict AI will eliminate half of entry-level white-collar jobs, others accuse firms of "AI washing"—using AI as a pretext for layoffs originally planned due to over-hiring or weak demand. However, companies like IBM and Cognizant are bucking the trend by increasing entry-level hiring and retraining staff to work alongside AI.
Economists suggest a "J-curve" effect may be underway, where initial productivity stagnation is followed by significant gains, as was seen with IT in the 1990s. The transition remains challenging, with true productivity improvements expected within 6–12 months.
marsbit04/20 11:05
