Chief Economists Outlook May 2025

28Chief Economists Outlook Figure 27. AI impact on global GDP Over the next decade, what is your expectation for the impact of AI on global GDP? Figure 28. AI impact on global employment Over the next decade, what is your expectation for the impact of AI on global employment levels?Cumulative increase to real global GDP (percentage points) by 2035Percent of respondents (%)100 75 50 25 0 <0 0-546 5-1035 10 -1514 15-203 20+3 Share of respondents (%)Significant job losses Modest job losses No change Modest job gains Significant job gains Employment impact 11 36 33 19Source: Chief Economists Survey. (2025, April). Source: Chief Economists Survey. (2025, April).It is widely acknowledged that AI is set to reshape specific tasks and roles within industries,68 automating routine functions and prompting a shift in human labour towards more strategic and ethical responsibilities.69 However, the broader impact on aggregate employment remains uncertain. Among the chief economists, 47% expect job losses over the next decade, compared to 19% who expect net job gains. This split highlights the complexity of AI’s effects on the labour market: other research also suggests that the balance between created and displaced jobs is estimated to be positive over the next five years, but AI and information processing technologies feature among the most disruptive macrotrends in the labour market.70 68 World Economic Forum. (2025b). 69 World Economic Forum. (2025c). 70 World Economic Forum. (2025b).