US Census Bureau data reveals AI usage among large companies dropped from nearly 14 percent in mid-June to under 12 percent in August—the largest decline since tracking began in November 2023. This represents a concerning trend for tech investors who have poured billions into AI development, expecting enterprise adoption to drive sustainable returns on their massive investments.
What you should know: The decline affects companies across different sizes, with the steepest drop occurring among enterprises with over 250 employees.
- Data from over 1.2 million US firms shows AI usage fell most dramatically in large corporations, while very small businesses with fewer than four workers saw slight increases.
- Mid-sized companies with 19-250 employees experienced either flat or declining AI adoption rates during the same period.
The big picture: Enterprise AI has failed to deliver promised revenue despite massive corporate investment and industry hype.
- A staggering 95 percent of US companies that adopted AI report the software has generated zero new revenue.
- Tech investors and CEOs have positioned enterprise AI as crucial for building sustainable business models, with their spending literally propping up the US economy.
Why this matters: The data contradicts bullish predictions from industry leaders about AI’s transformative potential for businesses.
- SAP CEO Christian Klein, who leads the German software giant, claimed in 2024 that enterprise AI “will indeed revolutionize how companies will run.”
- UBS, the Swiss wealth management firm, stated as recently as June that “a peak in overall AI adoption is still a long way off, and accelerating AI use is set to drive further monetization across industries.”
Signs of broader AI disappointment: Several high-profile setbacks have dampened AI enthusiasm throughout the summer.
- OpenAI’s long-awaited GPT-5 model performed worse on benchmark tests than its peers, falling short of expectations for human-level artificial intelligence.
- Companies that previously laid off human workers to implement AI solutions are now scrambling to rehire employees, recognizing the technology’s limitations.
Market concerns: Financial experts warn that the tech industry may never recover its AI investments as innovation appears to plateau.
- Tech stocks continue breaking records based on AI hype, creating a disconnect between market valuations and actual performance.
- Some analysts suggest companies are hitting a wall with AI capabilities, unable to deliver the productivity gains that justified initial investments.
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