Who is using AI—and who expects to use it next?
Separate observed adoption, uncertainty, and future intentions.
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The answer
The October 8 snapshot reports AI use in any business function among 23.8% of in-scope employer businesses. Another question records 27.7% expecting use during the next six months. Expectations describe plans; they do not establish how many businesses will adopt AI.
How to read this finding
Read the “do not know” responses alongside yes and no. Uncertainty about future use can reflect an unsettled decision, rather than a commitment to adopt. These are business-weighted rates, not the share of employees using AI.
Core snapshot: reference September 7–20, 2026; collected September 21–October 4; released October 8. Detailed supplement: collected November 17, 2025–February 8, 2026; released April 23. These windows are displayed separately.
Did the business use AI in the last two weeks?
In the last two weeks, did this business use Artificial Intelligence (AI) in any of its business functions? (Examples of AI: machine learning, natural language processing, virtual agents, voice recognition, etc.)
| Response | Businesses (%) | Standard error (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 23.8 | 0.41 |
| No | 66.4 | 0.43 |
| Do not know | 9.8 | 0.17 |
Compare with the earlier pooled supplement
This is a different collection window, not a fresh update to the detailed supplement.
| Response | Businesses (%) | Standard error (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 17.9 | 0.13 |
| No | 71.3 | 0.13 |
| Do not know | 10.8 | 0.09 |
Does the business expect to use AI in the next six months?
During the next six months, do you think this business will be using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in any of its business functions? (Examples of AI: machine learning, natural language processing, virtual agents, voice recognition, etc.)
| Response | Businesses (%) | Standard error (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 27.7 | 0.36 |
| No | 46.4 | 0.41 |
| Do not know | 25.9 | 0.30 |
Compare with the earlier pooled supplement
This is a different collection window, not a fresh update to the detailed supplement.
| Response | Businesses (%) | Standard error (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| Yes | 21.6 | 0.09 |
| No | 56.2 | 0.15 |
| Do not know | 22.2 | 0.18 |
A practical business conversation
For a Chamber conversation, ask owners to identify a defined use case and who will decide whether it succeeds. A provider can investigate readiness and implementation needs without treating every stated intention as a paying customer.
Use current adoption to describe reported activity and expectations to describe intentions.
What this evidence cannot establish
This national table does not identify the same businesses moving from non-use to use. The pooled supplement and a single two-week core snapshot are different estimates.