IDC Study Predicts that artificial intelligence (AI) will contribute a cumulative $19.9 trillion to the global economy by 2030, driven by AI’s widespread impact on consumer spending, infrastructure investments, and the growth of AI-powered industries.
The report anticipates AI-related activity, including generative AI, will contribute $4.9 trillion to the global economy in 2030 alone, up significantly from $1.2 trillion this year. If this trend continues, AI could account for 3.5% of global GDP by the end of the decade, based on International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates.
IDC's analysis considers three key areas of economic impact: direct, indirect, and induced spending. Direct spending includes revenue generated by AI companies and expenditures on essential components such as chips and hardware. Indirect spending encompasses infrastructure investments like data center construction, energy consumption, and staffing needs. Induced spending refers to the additional economic activity created by people employed in AI-related sectors and those benefiting from AI advancements. IDC estimates that for every dollar spent on AI business solutions in 2030, the global economy will see a $4.60 return.
Despite AI’s growing economic footprint, concerns remain about its impact on jobs. According to IDC’s “Future of Work Employees Survey,” nearly half of workers expect AI to automate parts of their work in the next two years, with 15% anticipating most of their tasks could be automated. However, only 3% foresee full automation of their jobs during that time.
The rapid adoption of AI presents both significant opportunities and challenges. As AI drives economic growth, ongoing discussions about its influence on wages and employment will be essential.
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