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Automation and the Workforce: A Firm-Level View from the 2019 Annual Business Survey

Author

Listed:
  • Daron Acemoglu
  • Gary W. Anderson
  • David N. Beede
  • Cathy Buffington
  • Eric E. Childress
  • Emin Dinlersoz
  • Lucia S. Foster
  • Nathan Goldschlag
  • John C. Haltiwanger
  • Zachary Kroff
  • Pascual Restrepo
  • Nikolas Zolas

Abstract

This paper describes the adoption of automation technologies by US firms across all economic sectors by leveraging a new module introduced in the 2019 Annual Business Survey, conducted by the US Census Bureau in partnership with the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics (NCSES). The module collects data from over 300,000 firms on the use of five advanced technologies: AI, robotics, dedicated equipment, specialized software, and cloud computing. The adoption of these technologies remains low (especially for AI and robotics), varies substantially across industries, and concentrates on large and young firms. However, because larger firms are much more likely to adopt them, 12-64% of US workers and 22-72% of manufacturing workers are exposed to these technologies. Firms report a variety of motivations for adoption, including automating tasks previously performed by labor. Consistent with the use of these technologies for automation, adopters have higher labor productivity and lower labor shares. In particular, the use of these technologies is associated with a 11.4% higher labor productivity, which accounts for 20-30% of the difference in labor productivity between large firms and the median firm in an industry. Adopters report that these technologies raised skill requirements and led to greater demand for skilled labor but brought limited or ambiguous effects to their employment levels.

Suggested Citation

  • Daron Acemoglu & Gary W. Anderson & David N. Beede & Cathy Buffington & Eric E. Childress & Emin Dinlersoz & Lucia S. Foster & Nathan Goldschlag & John C. Haltiwanger & Zachary Kroff & Pascual Restrep, 2022. "Automation and the Workforce: A Firm-Level View from the 2019 Annual Business Survey," NBER Working Papers 30659, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    • Handle: RePEc:nbr:nberwo:30659
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    Cited by:

    1. Diego A. Comin & Xavier Cirera & Marcio Cruz, 2025. "Technology Sophistication Across Establishments," NBER Working Papers 33358, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    2. Vu, Lien Phuong Thi & Mai, Anh Ngoc & Nguyen, Thai Hoang & Nguyen, Tuan Hoang & Nguyen, Thuy Thanh & Bui, Quyen To, 2025. "Do narrative-related disclosures in annual reports influence corporate risk-taking? Insights from an emerging economy," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    3. Erik Brynjolfsson & Cathy Buffington & Nathan Goldschlag & J. Frank Li & Javier Miranda & Robert Seamans, 2023. "The Characteristics and Geographic Distribution of Robot Hubs in U.S. Manufacturing Establishments," NBER Working Papers 31062, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    4. Deng, Liuchun & Müller, Steffen & Plümpe, Verena & Stegmaier, Jens, 2024. "Robots, occupations, and worker age: A production-unit analysis of employment," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    5. Andrés César, 2025. "The Future of Work(ers) in the Age of Technological Revolution," CEDLAS, Working Papers 0344, CEDLAS, Universidad Nacional de La Plata.
    6. Mann, Katja & Pozzoli, Dario, 2022. "Automation and Low-Skill Labor," IZA Discussion Papers 15791, IZA Network @ LISER.
    7. Firooz, Hamid & Leduc, Sylvain & Liu, Zheng, 2025. "Reshoring, automation, and labor markets under trade uncertainty," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    8. Firooz, Hamid & Liu, Zheng & Wang, Yajie, 2025. "Automation and the rise of superstar firms," Journal of Monetary Economics, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    9. Domenico Delli Gatti & Roberta Terranova & Enrico Maria Turco, 2024. "Industrial Policy in Times of Market Power," CESifo Working Paper Series 11544, CESifo.
    10. Bonney, Kathryn & Breaux, Cory & Buffington, Catherine & Dinlersoz, Emin & Foster, Lucia & Goldschlag, Nathan & Haltiwanger, John & Kroff, Zachary & Savage, Keith, 2024. "The impact of AI on the workforce: Tasks versus jobs?," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 244(C).
    11. Masayuki MORIKAWA, 2024. "Use of Artificial Intelligence and Productivity: Evidence from firm and worker surveys," Discussion papers 24074, Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry (RIETI).
    12. Heluo, Yuxi & Fabel, Oliver, 2024. "Job computerization, occupational employment and wages: A comparative study of the United States, Germany, and Japan," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 209(C).
    13. Zhou, Yuwen & Shi, Xin, 2025. "How does digital technology adoption affect corporate employment? Evidence from China," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    14. Mann, Katja & Pozzoli, Dario, 2024. "Robots and immigration," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    15. Deepika Baskar Prabhakar & Hamid Firooz & Sylvain Leduc & Zheng Liu, 2025. "Will Trade Uncertainty Boost Automation?," FRBSF Economic Letter, Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, vol. 2025(20), pages 1-6, September.
    16. Rademakers Emilie & Zierahn-Weilage Ulrich, 2024. "New Technologies: End of Work or Structural Change?," The Economists' Voice, De Gruyter, vol. 21(2), pages 335-344.
    17. Bisio, Laura & Cuzzola, Angelo & Grazzi, Marco & Moschella, Daniele, 2025. "The dynamics of automation adoption: Firm-level heterogeneity and aggregate employment effects," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    18. Ince, Barıs & Iskenderoglu, Cansu, 2025. "Automation cost flexibility and firm value," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    19. Agustí Segarra-Blasco & Josep Tomàs-Porres & Mercedes Teruel, 2025. "AI, robots and innovation in European SMEs," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 65(1), pages 719-745, June.
    20. Flavio Calvino & Luca Fontanelli, 2024. "AI Users Are Not All Alike: The Characteristics of French Firms Buying and Developing AI," CESifo Working Paper Series 11466, CESifo.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • E22 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Investment; Capital; Intangible Capital; Capacity
    • J20 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - General
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity

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