The AI Productivity Gap No One Is Closing
Employee AI Gains Have Yet to Translate Into Broad Earnings Growth
Workers widely report that artificial intelligence improves their productivity, but companies are still struggling to convert those gains into measurable earnings growth.
McKinsey’s 2026 State of AI survey found that 80% of respondents said AI makes them more productive, while 37% of companies reported an impact on earnings. The latter figure has remained unchanged for a year, according to the survey.
Chris Willis, chief design officer and futurist at cloud software company Domo, said the disconnect stems from businesses adding AI tools to existing processes rather than redesigning workflows around the technology.
The gap highlights a central challenge for companies investing in generative AI and automation: individual time savings do not necessarily produce financial results unless organizations change how work is assigned, managed and measured.
Willis said leaders’ assumptions about how employees work can also differ from day-to-day operating realities, potentially limiting the benefits of AI deployments.