Goldman Sachs (GS, Financial) research highlights that only 6.1% of all U.S. companies are leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to create goods and services, up just slightly from 5.9% in Q3 2024. The highest AI adoption rates are in the financial and insurance sectors and reduced in the information, manufacturing, and education sectors.
In mention of significant productivity influenced by the use of generative AI in the mentioned areas, the report identifies academic studies indicating a 23% increase in productivity, with anecdotal evidence from companies estimating business gains as high as 30%. While AI is having a major effect on the general business landscape, its effects are still hazy. While increasing numbers of companies—including many with more than 250 employees—are adopting AI (up to 47% of CFOs report adopting it), the returns remain limited: just 13% of CFOs rate their returns as 'very positive,' which is down from 27% earlier this year.
According to Goldman Sachs, AI investment will continue to grow, particularly in the semiconductor industry, with revenues growing 37% by the end of 2025. However, concerns over cybersecurity and whether AI is being used effectively continue to plague small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), which have doubled the rate at which they are adopting AI.
According to a separate PYMNTS Intelligence report, while generative AI adoption rises, CFOs must still tussle with the endgame and its financial impact, with some businesses bulking up their AI budgets to reap a stronger ROI.
