The economic potential of generative AI is massive – $6.6 trillion in productivity gains for businesses in the US, UK, France, Germany, and India, with $4.1 trillion in the US economy alone – but the talent and policy gap is a major challenge.
LinkedIn Chief Economist Karin Kimbrough has released a report stating that generative AI (GAI) has the potential to drive $6.6 trillion in economic value across just five countries — the U.S., U.K., France, Germany, and India — if harnessed effectively. The talent and policy gap is a major challenge.
Kimbrough states, amid ongoing uncertainty, AI will continue to be an economic driver, and investing in adoption is a smart strategy for governments and businesses.
The report, AI and the Global Economy, dives into the sectors seeing early wins, the companies leading the charge, and the skills investment needed to stay competitive.
The bulk of this value, $4.1 trillion, could be realized in the U.S. through gains in productivity, efficiency, and new revenue streams. Adoption is already underway, particularly in mid-sized firms where 56% report using GAI tools.
Among these early adopters, 76% report time savings and half have seen double-digit revenue growth, underscoring the technology’s near-term business impact.
But despite GAI’s promise, a significant barrier looms: workforce readiness. Demand for AI skills has nearly doubled globally in the past year, yet less than 1% of professionals report AI engineering skills. This talent shortfall risks concentrating the benefits of GAI in a few geographies and sectors.
Kimbrough emphasizes that this economic and societal transformation can’t be left to market forces alone. To truly democratize GAI’s potential, countries must invest in digital infrastructure, lifelong learning systems, inclusive policies, and equitable access to AI tools and training.
With the right mix of innovation and inclusive growth strategies, GAI can deliver not only trillions in value—but also a more equitable global economy.
