Generative AI Adoption Outpaces Early PC and Internet Usage, Study Reveals

The rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming everyday work life, as highlighted by recent research from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Vanderbilt University, and Harvard Kennedy School. Their paper, The Rapid Adoption of Generative AI, reveals that this technology is being adopted at an astonishing pace, even faster than that of the personal computer or the internet.

Here are five key insights from the study, which surveyed thousands of U.S. workers on generative AI's adoption both at work and at home.

1. Generative AI Surpasses PC Adoption Rates

Generative AI's adoption is remarkable. In just two years since the launch of ChatGPT, 39.4% of Americans aged 18-64 have reported using generative AI, with 28% employing it for work tasks. For context, it took three years for personal computers to reach a 20% adoption rate.

“Generative AI has been adopted more rapidly than PCs or the internet,” note the researchers, emphasizing that its home use is accelerating its workplace integration due to greater accessibility and lower costs.

2. Widespread Use Across Occupations

Generative AI isn't limited to tech professionals. The research indicates significant adoption across various sectors; one in five blue-collar workers—those in construction, installation, repair, and transportation—regularly utilizes generative AI at work.

“Adoption is dominant in management, business, and computer jobs, with rates exceeding 40%,” the study highlights, showing that generative AI is now part of diverse job functions, including report writing and creative idea generation.

3. Potential for Increased Workplace Inequality

Similar to the rise of personal computers, generative AI adoption may deepen workplace inequality. The study reveals that younger, more educated, and higher-income individuals are more likely to leverage this technology. Those with bachelor’s degrees are twice as likely to use AI compared to those without, raising concerns about widening disparities in the labor market.

“Generative AI adoption is more prevalent among younger, educated, and affluent workers, mirroring trends seen during the PC revolution,” the authors caution.

4. Time-saving Applications Across Tasks

Generative AI is streamlining a range of tasks beyond coding or technical duties. Workers report using it primarily for writing, administrative functions, and interpreting data. Notably, 57% of AI users at work employed it for writing tasks, while 49% used it for information searches.

The study underscores that “AI usage exceeds 25% for all analyzed tasks,” highlighting its significant impact across various work activities, from summarizing reports to generating new ideas.

5. Boosting U.S. Labor Productivity

The most promising finding is that generative AI could substantially enhance labor productivity. Current user data suggests that generative AI assists with 0.5% to 3.5% of U.S. work hours, potentially leading to productivity gains of 0.125% to 0.875%.

“If generative AI increases task productivity by 25%—the median estimate from multiple studies—this would translate to a measurable increase in labor productivity,” the paper states, although the authors note that these projections are speculative due to the early adoption phase of generative AI's integration into daily workflows.

In summary, the rapid and widespread adoption of generative AI signals a transformative shift in workplace dynamics, with both opportunities and challenges for the future of work.