Chicago Booth Review Podcast Why AI isn’t boosting the economy
Jun 18, 2025
Anders Humlum, a faculty member at Chicago Booth, delves into the intriguing paradox of AI's limited impact on economic growth and corporate earnings. He discusses how Danish companies are integrating AI tools like chatbots but reveals a surprising disconnect between increased efficiency and tangible profit. The conversation emphasizes the need for effective training and workflow reforms to harness potential productivity gains. Humlum also warns against overhyping AI's capabilities while advocating for metrics that truly reflect its economic contributions.
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Denmark as a Prime AI Study Context
- Denmark's workforce is an early adopter of AI chatbots with adoption rates similar to the U.S. sector.
- Collaboration with Statistics Denmark allowed linking large-scale surveys to labor market data for detailed analysis.
Wide Employer Investment in AI Tools
- About one-third of Danish employers have developed their own AI chatbots tailored to their workflows.
- A quarter of employees have already received training on how to use AI tools effectively.
Training Narrows AI Adoption Gaps
- Gender and experience gaps in AI adoption persist with women using AI less than men.
- Employer-provided training significantly reduces these AI adoption gaps, especially the gender gap.