A new AI productivity survey has revealed a striking reality about artificial intelligence in the workplace. Despite widespread adoption and massive investments, nearly 90% of top executives say AI has not improved productivity or employment outcomes at their companies.

The analysis, published by the National Bureau of Economic Research and highlighted by Fortune, surveyed nearly 6,000 CEOs, chief financial officers, and senior executives across the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Australia. The findings raise fresh questions about AI’s economic value and its long-promised ability to transform business efficiency.

Most Companies Use AI but See No Measurable Results

According to the AI productivity survey, around 70% of firms reported actively using artificial intelligence technologies. Yet most acknowledged that adopting AI has not significantly changed their business performance.

The survey assessed AI’s overall impact rather than specific workplace implementations, but the results still suggest that widespread adoption has yet to translate into measurable gains.

Even among executives themselves, engagement with AI tools appears limited. Two-thirds reported using AI personally, but their usage averaged only 1.5 hours per week. The relatively low adoption among leadership contrasts with the broader enthusiasm often expressed by executives about AI’s potential.

Growing Doubts About AI’s Economic Value

The findings from the AI productivity survey add to mounting skepticism around AI’s economic impact. Other recent studies show similar trends.

More than half of nearly 4,500 CEOs in another survey said their companies were not seeing financial returns from AI investments. Meanwhile, an MIT study found that 95% of organizations using AI reported no meaningful revenue growth.

Researchers point to several possible explanations. Some studies suggest AI struggles with certain remote and white-collar tasks, while others indicate that AI-generated outputs can introduce errors that require human correction. Additional research also suggests AI adoption may intensify workloads, increase burnout, and create workflow inefficiencies.

Rising AI Adoption Despite Limited Returns

Despite the challenges highlighted in the AI productivity survey, businesses continue to increase their investment in artificial intelligence. The percentage of companies using AI rose from 61% between February and April 2025 to 71% between November 2025 and January 2026.

Executives remain optimistic about future outcomes. Survey respondents predicted that AI could boost productivity by 1.4% and output by 0.8% over the next three years, while reducing employment by 0.5%.

Some experts compare this situation to the “Solow paradox,” where transformative technologies initially fail to produce measurable productivity gains. The long-term economic impact of AI may follow a similar path, with benefits emerging gradually over time.

For now, however, the AI productivity survey highlights a gap between expectations and real-world results, raising important questions about how businesses measure AI’s value and integrate the technology effectively.