The surge in AI adoption among American companies? Goldman Sachs' estimates reveal the current state of AI downstream

On Monday, Goldman Sachs' latest tracking data showed that the adoption rate of artificial intelligence (AI) among U.S. companies has reached 17.4%, with a particularly strong willingness to apply AI among large enterprises. This trend is reshaping business operating models and raising market concerns about employment impacts. The AI adoption tracking report updated in December by Goldman Sachs analyst Sarah Dong's team indicates that more companies are expanding their AI spending. The data shows that 40% of large enterprises expect to use AI technology within the next six months, and early survey results suggest that many adopters have already achieved positive investment returns. In terms of industry distribution, information technology, professional services, education, finance, insurance, real estate and leasing, healthcare, and entertainment sectors are leading in AI adoption. This trend is accompanied by changes in the job market. According to a report by the job placement company Challenger, Gray & Christmas, the number of layoffs in October reached a new high since 2003, with many companies citing cost-cutting measures and AI adoption as reasons for layoffs, posing challenges for workers in industries with high AI adoption rates. Large Enterprises Lead the Adoption Wave: 40% of Large Enterprises Expect to Deploy AI Technology Within Six Months Company size has become a key differentiating factor in AI adoption. Goldman Sachs data shows that the willingness to adopt AI among large enterprises is significantly higher than the overall market level, with 40% of large enterprises expecting to deploy AI technology within the next six months, far exceeding the industry average of 17.4%. In terms of sub-industries, sectors such as computing, publishing, and online search maintain the highest AI adoption rates. Telecommunications and financial companies are expected to see the largest increases in AI adoption within the next six months, indicating that these industries are accelerating their technological transformation. Early Adopters Have Seen Investment Returns Multiple survey data cited by Dong come from consulting firms, business associations, and corporate research institutions, which show that companies continue to report positive investment returns and significant productivity improvements from early generative AI projects. This positive feedback is driving more companies to follow suit in their investments. Survey results from consulting firms, business associations, and corporate research teams consistently indicate that early adopters have gained tangible benefits from generative AI applications. Employment Impact Begins to Emerge: AI Adoption Becomes One of the Main Reasons for Layoffs Another side of the surge in AI adoption is the adjustment pressure on the job market. According to the Challenger, Gray & Christmas report, the number of layoffs in October reached the highest level since 2003, with many companies explicitly citing cost-cutting measures and AI adoption as reasons for layoffs. This data is not a favorable signal for workers in industries with high AI adoption rates. As companies achieve positive returns on AI investments and enhance productivity, the trend of technology replacing human labor may further accelerate in the future, especially in leading AI application industries such as information technology, professional services, and finance