The Labor Market Effects of Generative Artificial Intelligence

39 Pages Posted: 10 Apr 2025 Last revised: 14 Feb 2025

See all articles by Jonathan Hartley

Jonathan Hartley

Stanford University

Filip Jolevski

Department of Economics, George Mason University; Enterprise Analysis Unit, Development Economics Vice Presidency, The World Bank

Vitor Melo

Clemson University

Brendan Moore

Stanford University, Department of Economics

Date Written: December 18, 2024

Abstract

In this paper we develop a new survey analyzing Generative AI use in the labor market to assist in measuring the economic effects of Generative AI. We find, consistent with other surveys that Generative AI tools like large language models (LLMs) are most commonly used in the labor force by younger individuals, more highly educated individuals, higher income individuals, and those in particular industries such as customer service, marketing and information technology. Overall, we find that as of December 2024, 30.1% of survey respondents above 18 have used Generative AI at work since Generative AI tools became public. We also estimate Generative AI use at the intensive margins, its efficiency gains and its use in job search. We also seek to examine the effects of LLMs on productivity and the labor market using a number of additional datasets. These results have several implications for policymakers, businesses, and researchers navigating the evolving landscape shaped by the integration of Generative AI into the global economy.

Keywords: Large Language Models, Artificial Intelligence, Employment Dynamics, Automation

JEL Classification: E00, E02, F22, F43, P48

Suggested Citation

Hartley, Jonathan and Jolevski, Filip and Melo, Vitor and Moore, Brendan, The Labor Market Effects of Generative Artificial Intelligence (December 18, 2024). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5136877 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5136877

Jonathan Hartley (Contact Author)

Stanford University ( email )

Stanford, CA
United States

HOME PAGE: http://www.jonathanhartley.net

Filip Jolevski

Department of Economics, George Mason University ( email )

Fairfax, VA
United States

Enterprise Analysis Unit, Development Economics Vice Presidency, The World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433
United States

Vitor Melo

Clemson University ( email )

101 Sikes Ave
Clemson, SC 29634
United States

Brendan Moore

Stanford University, Department of Economics ( email )

Stanford, CA
United States

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