AI’s Expanding Role Prompts Varied Responses Across Sectors

Developments in artificial intelligence are leading to a range of responses from business leaders, educators, and students, according to recent surveys and statements from international forums and industry events.

At the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, the head of the International Monetary Fund stated that AI is expected to transform labor markets, with a projected impact on 60% of jobs in advanced economies. This assessment highlights the scale of anticipated changes as AI technologies are adopted across industries.

Business leaders have also addressed the implications of AI for organizational growth and workforce composition. At the same Davos event, the CEO of Accenture stated that more than three-quarters of leaders see AI’s primary value in driving business growth rather than focusing solely on cost reduction. In the technology sector, a Deloitte survey of approximately 600 executives found that 69% plan to expand their teams in response to the rise of generative AI.

In addition to business perspectives, educational research has examined how students view the growing presence of AI. A multi-institutional survey of over 400 computing students revealed that high school participants tend to trust generative AI more and report fewer negative feelings, while students in higher education express greater skepticism and concern. Another study involving more than 250 students found that, although most are enthusiastic about generative AI, a larger share voiced concerns about ethics, job displacement, and the ability of educational systems to adapt.

What the numbers show

• 60% of jobs in advanced economies may be affected by AI, according to the IMF
• 69% of surveyed tech executives plan to expand teams due to generative AI
• Over 75% of leaders believe AI’s main benefit is business growth, per Accenture
• 410 students were surveyed across high schools, colleges, and universities on AI attitudes
• More than 250 student responses highlighted both enthusiasm and concern about AI

Industry leaders have also introduced new tools and platforms to support the integration of AI in business processes. At AWS re:Invent 2025, the CEO of Amazon Web Services introduced Nova Forge, a platform designed for embedding proprietary data into AI pretraining. During the event, the CEO stated that AI should not be used to replace junior developers, emphasizing the importance of maintaining human roles in technology teams.

In computing education, the development of AI assistants is shifting the focus from traditional coding skills to the integration of AI with subject-specific knowledge. These tools are being designed to model scientific inquiry, reflecting changes in how students are taught to approach problem-solving in technical fields.

Student attitudes toward AI continue to be shaped by both optimism and caution. While many students express excitement about the possibilities of generative AI, studies indicate that concerns about ethical implications, job security, and the readiness of educational institutions remain prevalent.

Industry reaction

At the 2026 World Economic Forum, the IMF highlighted the potential for AI to transform labor markets on a large scale. The organization’s statement focused on the widespread impact anticipated in advanced economies.

Accenture’s CEO stated at the same forum that business leaders are prioritizing AI’s role in driving growth, while AWS’s CEO introduced a new AI platform and emphasized the continued need for human talent in technology roles.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.