Business spending on the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) will have a cumulative global economic impact of US$ 19.9 trillion (€ 17.9 billion) by 2030, when the technology will generate 3.5% of the world's GDP, according to an IDC report entitled 'The Global Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Economy and Jobs'.
This study predicts that AI will affect employment in all geographical areas and will have an impact on sectors such as contact centers, translation services, accounting and machine inspection. This change is being driven by business leaders who almost unanimously (98%) consider AI a priority for their companies.
IDC says that by 2030, every new dollar spent on business-related AI solutions and services will translate into $4.60 in global impact, in indirect and induced terms.
“In 2024, AI entered a phase of accelerated development and deployment, defined by widespread integration that led to increased enterprise investments aimed at significantly optimizing operational costs and timelines,” said Lapo Fioretti, principal research analyst for Emerging Technologies and Macroeconomics at IDC.
“By automating routine tasks and unlocking new efficiencies, AI will have profound economic consequences, transforming industries, creating new markets and altering the competitive landscape,” he added.
Employment
Some 48% of those interviewed by IDC expect some parts of their jobs to be automated by AI in the next two years, while 15% expect most of their tasks to be automated. Only 3% of employees expect their jobs to be fully automated by AI.
“While some jobs will be negatively affected by the proliferation of AI, new positions, such as AI ethicists and AI prompt engineers, will emerge as examples of specific roles,” the report explained.
In particular, jobs that have less of a “human touch” or are more repetitive are likely to be redefined or eliminated, while more social and emotional jobs, such as nursing, “will remain strong”.
“AI won't replace your job, but someone who knows how to use AI better than you will,” summed up the CEO of a company consulted by IDC.
