According to a survey conducted by executives and published on Thursday (20th), over 61% of large companies in the United States have concrete plans to implement AI within the next year. The aim is to automate a wide range of tasks currently performed by humans, from paying suppliers to generating financial reports.
Furthermore, the study, conducted by Duke University in collaboration with the Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta and Richmond, highlights that there are no clear limits to how far automation can go. Companies are already utilizing AI for creative tasks, such as assisting in the formulation of job postings, press releases, and even designing marketing campaigns.
This move aims not only to enhance operational efficiency and product quality but also to significantly reduce labor costs. The speed at which AI is being adopted suggests a radical shift in business models in the coming years, raising questions about the future of human skills in the job market.
The findings indicate that companies are increasingly leveraging AI to cut costs, boost profits, and drive productivity.
John Graham, a professor of finance at Duke University and academic lead of the study, emphasized in an interview with CNN the critical importance of these technologies for corporate innovation: “It is impossible to run an innovative company without seriously considering these technologies. There is a risk of falling behind.”

The motivation for companies to utilize AI is clear. A significant number of them, especially large firms with robust financial resources, are already investing in software, equipment, and technology, including AI, to automate tasks previously performed by employees. According to a survey conducted between May 13 and June 3, nearly 60% of all surveyed companies and an impressive 84% of large companies implemented such solutions in the past year.
This trend underscores not only a significant shift in operational methods but also a strategic preparation for the competitive and economic challenges of the current market.
Business leaders are adopting AI for various reasons, including reducing costs associated with human labor.
According to the CFO survey, companies are using automation to achieve several goals: improving product quality (58% of companies), increasing production (49%), lowering labor costs (47%), and replacing workforce roles (33%).
Despite these changes, there is a positive outlook for workers, as some experts argue that AI will not lead to massive job losses in the short term.
“I don’t think we’ll see many job losses this year,” Graham said. “In the short term, it’s more about filling some gaps and potentially not hiring someone who otherwise would have been hired— but not laying anyone off. This is partly because it’s a completely new technology.”
This approach suggests that AI can initially be used to optimize existing processes and enhance efficiency, rather than directly replace human labor. This gradual transition could allow for adjustments in the labor market as technology becomes more integrated into operational processes.
The integration of artificial intelligence will undoubtedly have a significant impact on workers, and this could already be felt.
According to John Graham, this shift could provide individuals with more time to focus on priority and fulfilling tasks.
Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn and billionaire investor, shares the view that AI will likely disrupt some jobs in the near future, specifying that this could happen within years, not decades or months. He predicts that within three to five years, everyone will have access to virtual assistants that function as “co-pilots,” helping with a variety of tasks from household chores to professional work and content creation.
This perspective indicates a continuous transformation of the job market as AI becomes further integrated and widespread in daily operations, potentially redefining how people collaborate with advanced technologies in the workplace.
Reid Hoffman, author of the book “Impromptu: Amplifying Our Humanity Through AI,” co-written last year with the help of ChatGPT-4, emphasizes that in the coming years, artificial intelligence will function as a co-pilot rather than a direct replacement for humans.
“We are experiencing a transformation of work. Human jobs are being transformed, not simply replaced—they are being executed by people using AI,” Hoffman explained. “The idea is for humans to work alongside AI, leveraging their skills while the technology learns and evolves.”
Despite the promises of AI, both employers and employees remain concerned about the cost of living and current inflation pressures.
According to the survey, inflation is the second biggest concern among Chief Financial Officers in the U.S. for the coming year, trailing only behind issues related to interest rates and monetary policy. The majority of CFOs (57%) expect their product prices to rise faster than usual this year.
However, there are clear differences in inflation outlooks depending on technology adoption. According to the survey, companies that have implemented automation in the past 12 months are forecasting more moderate price increases compared to those that have not adopted this technology.
John Graham from Duke University noted that while artificial intelligence may help mitigate price increases, he is not optimistic about its role as an effective solution to combat inflation in the near future. “It doesn’t seem like it will be the cure in the next year,” he said.
Furthermore, the study highlights how rapidly companies are adopting AI, even as regulations surrounding this technology are still being developed.
The swift adoption of AI in sectors such as finance has raised concerns. Janet Yellen, the U.S. Treasury Secretary, recently warned in a speech earlier this month about the “enormous opportunities and significant risks” associated with the use of AI by financial firms.
A report from Democratic Senator Gary Peters, chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, expressed serious concerns about the inadequate regulation related to the use of artificial intelligence by hedge funds.
According to the report, current regulations are deemed insufficient to address how hedge funds employ AI. It pointed out the lack of clear guidelines on when and whether humans should be involved in decision-making processes, including those affecting business decisions.
John Graham from Duke University emphasized the importance of companies across all industries implementing robust risk management systems and redundancies while exploring AI. He expressed concern about the speed of AI adoption and warned that, while this is a positive development, it is essential to proceed carefully. Graham predicted that some companies could face issues such as defective products or disruptions in the supply chain if they act too hastily.
These considerations underscore the urgent need for a clearer and more comprehensive regulatory framework to guide the ethical and safe use of AI, particularly in sensitive areas like finance, where the impact of automated decisions can be significant.