AI: Executives’ optimism about the future

AI News

by Dashveenjit Kaur

February 20, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

A groundbreaking international study reveals a cautiously optimistic outlook on artificial intelligence (AI) among executives, with modest yet positive impacts on productivity and employment over the past three years. The research, involving nearly 6,000 verified executives across four countries, highlights that while AI adoption is widespread—reaching 69% of firms—the technology’s effects have been incremental rather than transformative. Most companies report no measurable change in headcount due to AI, suggesting these early stages reflect the typical trajectory of general-purpose technologies as they gain traction. The study underscores that AI tools are increasingly embedded in daily workflows, with uses ranging from large language model (LLM)-based text generation to machine learning for data processing and visual content creation. While adoption rates have risen—particularly in the UK, where firm-level AI use jumped from 61% to 71% between 2022 and 2025—the measured impact lags behind adoption due to the technology’s early deployment phases. Executives anticipate stronger effects over the next three years, projecting a modest productivity increase of 1.4% on average, along with a 0.8% rise in output. Notably, U.S. executives expect higher gains (2.25%) compared to their UK counterparts (1.86%). While concerns about employment impacts persist, executives predict only a 0.7% reduction in headcount across the four countries over the next three years. This adjustment is expected to occur primarily through slower hiring rather than layoffs, signaling a gradual reallocation of roles rather

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Originally published on AI News on 2/20/2026