US firms using AI and expecting to, every two weeks since the new question (Nov 2025 - Oct 2026)
Group
Used AI in last two weeks
Expect to use AI in next six months
30 Nov 2025
17.3%
21.1%
14 Dec 2025
17.2%
20.9%
28 Dec 2025
17.8%
21.3%
11 Jan 2026
17.7%
22.4%
25 Jan 2026
18.2%
22.1%
8 Feb 2026
18.9%
22.1%
22 Feb 2026
17.5%
21%
8 Mar 2026
18.2%
21.8%
22 Mar 2026
18.9%
22.3%
5 Apr 2026
19.1%
22.5%
19 Apr 2026
19.8%
23%
3 May 2026
19.8%
22.8%
17 May 2026
19.5%
22.7%
31 May 2026
20.6%
23.7%
14 Jun 2026
20.6%
23.9%
28 Jun 2026
20.6%
23.7%
12 Jul 2026
21.7%
24.5%
26 Jul 2026
21.5%
24.3%
9 Aug 2026
21.8%
25.9%
23 Aug 2026
22.4%
25.9%
6 Sep 2026
23.2%
27.3%
20 Sep 2026
23.8%
27.6%
4 Oct 2026
23.8%
27.7%
18 Oct 2026
24.6%
28.6%
Source: US Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook SurveyOnly waves asked with the "any business function" wording (from 17 Nov 2025). Earlier waves used a narrower question and are left out. Dates are the last day of each collection. No waves for 6 Oct to 16 Nov 2025 (funding lapse). Waves from 19 Oct 2026 use the new "SI" wording and will start a new line.digitaltreed.com/statistics
In plain words
What this number really says
28.6% of US employer businesses expect to use AI in a business function in the next six months (survey of 5-18 Oct 2026) (Oct 2026).
28.6%
the latest figure (Oct 2026)
25.8%
said they do not know
Official data
type of source
Why you can trust it. US Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey: official data, government statistics office or regulator. About 1.2 million US employer businesses in six panels of about 200,000; each panel reports every 12 weeks. About 24,000 responses in the 5-18 Oct 2026 wave (Census response file URR.xlsx, 12% response rate).
Compare yourself with the published data for firms your size.
24.3%
of US firms with 1 to 4 employees used AI in a business function in the last two weeks, close to the 24.6% national rate (small firms, USA). All firms: 24.6%.
You are here: with the firms not doing this yet
Most firms your size have not started either, so an early start is still an edge.
US Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey
Source type
Official data: Government statistics office or regulator
What it measures
28.6% of US employer businesses expect to use AI in a business function in the next six months (survey of 5-18 Oct 2026)
Data period
Oct 2026 (ends 18 Oct 2026)
Published by the source
22 Oct 2026
Who is counted
About 1.2 million US employer businesses in six panels of about 200,000; each panel reports every 12 weeks. About 24,000 responses in the 5-18 Oct 2026 wave (Census response file URR.xlsx, 12% response rate).
Margin of error
SE 0.21 points
Said "do not know"
25.8%
In the source's words
National.xlsx, Response Estimates: "During the next six months, do you think this business will be using Super Intelligence or SI (formerly referred to as Artificial Intelligence or AI) in any of its business functions?" Yes, 202621: 28.6%
Checked at source
23 Oct 2026: Read in National.xlsx on census.gov, 2026-10-23. No 45.5%, Do not know 25.8%; SE of Yes 0.21 points. A plan reported by firms, not a forecast.
Reuse
Public domain (US government work). Free to reuse; cite "US Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey". Census labels BTOS an experimental data product.
19 Oct 2026Method changeThe SI wording (Executive Order 14434) takes effect with the collection starting 19 Oct 2026 (the date of this entry); 28.6% (collected 5-18 Oct 2026) is the last wave before it.
7 May 2026New data22.8% Wave ending 3 May 2026.
4 Dec 2025Method change21.1% First wave with the "any business function" wording (collected 17-30 Nov 2025).
Cite this number
APA
US Census Bureau. (2026). 28.6% of US employer businesses expect to use AI in a business function in the next six months (survey of 5-18 Oct 2026). Via digitaltreed, https://digitaltreed.com/statistics/ai/us-business-ai-expected-use
MLA
"28.6% of US employer businesses expect to use AI in a business function in the next six months (survey of 5-18 Oct 2026)." US Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey, Oct 2026. digitaltreed, https://digitaltreed.com/statistics/ai/us-business-ai-expected-use.
HTML link
<a href="https://digitaltreed.com/statistics/ai/us-business-ai-expected-use">28.6% of US employer businesses expect to use AI in a business function in the next six months (survey of 5-18 Oct 2026)</a> (US Census Bureau, Oct 2026)
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<p>Source: <a href="https://digitaltreed.com/statistics/ai/us-business-ai-expected-use">28.6% of US employer businesses expect to use AI in a business function in the next six months (survey of 5-18 Oct 2026), digitaltreed</a></p>
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FAQ
Questions about this number
What is the latest figure for adoption (USA)?
28.6% of US employer businesses expect to use AI in a business function in the next six months (survey of 5-18 Oct 2026), for Oct 2026, according to US Census Bureau, Business Trends and Outlook Survey. We checked it at the source on 23 Oct 2026.
Related
More AI statistics
Official dataAll sizesUSA
24.6%
of US employer businesses used AI in a business function in the two weeks before the survey (5-18 Oct 2026)
Sample: About 1.2 million US employer businesses in six panels of about 200,000; each panel reports every 12 weeks. About 24,000 responses in the 5-18 Oct 2026 wave (Census response file URR.xlsx, 12% response rate).
