Research: AI technology has been adopted faster than personal computers and the internet

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is one of the hottest topics in tech circles, but new research from the St. Louis Federal Reserve Bank, Vanderbilt University, and Harvard Kennedy School reveals the real extent of this technology’s penetration into everyday life. The results have been astonishing, confirming that AI technology has been adopted faster than transformative innovations like personal computers or the internet.

Below, we present five key, surprising conclusions from the study, which surveyed thousands of American workers to assess the impact and application of generative artificial intelligence in both business and private life.

Generative artificial intelligence has surpassed personal computers in adoption rate

Generative AI is spreading faster than anyone could have predicted. Two years after the introduction of ChatGPT, 39.4% of Americans aged 18 to 64 reported using generative artificial intelligence, while 28% use it at work. In comparison, personal computers took three years to reach a 20% adoption rate.

– Generative artificial intelligence has been adopted faster than computers and the internet. This rapid integration has been driven by easier access to tools like ChatGPT and Google Gemini, as well as their portability and lower cost compared to computers. The availability of these tools has enabled accelerated adoption in households, researchers note.

Generative AI is used across all industries, not just among tech professionals

While it might be assumed that AI is reserved for programmers and data scientists, the study shows broader adoption. Specifically, one in five workers in non-technical occupations – such as construction, transportation, or repairs – regularly uses generative artificial intelligence at work.

– The highest adoption rate was recorded among managerial, business, and computing occupations, with over 40% of users. However, even one in five ‘blue-collar’ workers and one in five without a college degree regularly use AI in their work. This broad application indicates that artificial intelligence is no longer reserved for specialized, highly skilled jobs but is used in many different work tasks, from writing reports to generating new ideas, the report states.

The adoption of artificial intelligence exacerbates inequalities in the workplace

Similar to the computer revolution, generative AI could further deepen inequalities in the labor market. According to the study, younger, more educated workers and those with higher incomes are more likely to use AI at work. Specifically, workers with a college degree are twice as likely to use AI compared to those without a degree (40% vs. 20%).

– This reflects trends that accompanied the adoption of computers, where highly skilled workers benefited while routine jobs were automated, the authors warn. This situation could deepen existing inequalities in the labor market.

AI is already saving time on many business tasks

Generative artificial intelligence is used for much more than technical tasks like coding. The most common applications include writing, administrative tasks, and data analysis. More than half of users (57%) reported using AI to assist with writing, while 49% use AI for searching and processing information, the research states.

Generative AI could increase labor productivity, but it is still early to draw conclusions

One of the most exciting findings of the study is that generative AI could significantly increase labor productivity. Researchers estimate that generative AI currently supports between 0.5% and 3.5% of total working hours in the country, which could result in an increase in labor productivity between 0.125% and 0.875%.

Although these estimates show enormous potential, the authors caution that it is still early to draw conclusions. The long-term effects will depend on how deeply generative artificial intelligence becomes integrated into everyday work processes.