More CEOs envision hiring than firing due to AI, survey finds
TL;DR
Fewer than 1 in 10 CEOs of large U.S. companies plan to cut jobs due to AI in 2026, according to a new survey from consultancy KPMG. Why it matters: The disruptive nature of AI is fostering significant debate over how the economy will evolve. The big picture: 9% of CEOs plan to reduce their workforce because of AI investments this year, according to the 2026 KPMG U.S. CEO Outlook Pulse Survey. 55% expect to increase hiring in 2026 as a direct result of AI, while 36% expect no change. Zoom in: U.S. CEOs are optimistic about the potential of AI to improve their businesses over the next five to 10 years, but in the short run they've been underwhelmed by the impact, KPMG CEO Tim Walsh tells Axios. "I would say the majority of companies right now are not actually realizing nor can they see the return on investment of the AI they're deploying," he says. Part of the challenge is the actual inte.
Nauti's Take
CEOs say AI creates jobs – but the same survey admits most can't even measure their AI ROI yet. Optimism is cheap when accountability is optional.
Summary
Fewer than 1 in 10 CEOs of large U. S.
companies plan to cut jobs due to AI in 2026, according to a new survey from consultancy KPMG. Why it matters: The disruptive nature of AI is fostering significant debate over how the economy will evolve.
The big picture: 9% of CEOs plan to reduce their workforce because of AI investments this year, according to the 2026 KPMG U. S.
CEO Outlook Pulse Survey. 55% expect to increase hiring in 2026 as a direct result of AI, while 36% expect no change.
Zoom in: U. S.
CEOs are optimistic about the potential of AI to improve their businesses over the next five to 10 years, but in the short run they've been underwhelmed by the impact, KPMG CEO Tim Walsh tells Axios. "I would say the majority of companies right now are not actually realizing nor can they see the return on investment of the AI they're deploying," he says.
Part of the challenge is the actual inte
Sources