GoKawiilCensus Bureau survey wording change inflates reported AI adoption among large firms
Analysis of the U.S. Census Bureau's Business Trends and Outlook Survey shows that large companies' reported AI use jumped from about 12% in September 2025 to roughly 40% by October 2026. The increase largely reflects a change in the survey question, from asking whether AI was used in 'producing goods or services' to asking about use in 'any business function,' rather than a sudden surge in actual adoption.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The comparison suggests that widely cited AI-adoption statistics can shift dramatically due to methodology changes rather than real-world behavior, which could mislead analysts and investors relying on such figures as a market indicator. It also points to friction between the Census Bureau's data practices and a federal executive order referenced as the 'Super Intelligence' order, though the exact nature of that conflict isn't detailed.
- Large-company AI adoption in Census Bureau data rose from ~12% to ~40% between September 2025 and October 2026.
- Much of the apparent increase stems from a reworded survey question covering 'any business function' instead of just production.
- The Bureau is reported to be out of compliance with Executive Order 14434, referred to as the 'Super Intelligence' order.
Source: simonwillison.net — Simon Willison, 2026-11-02
Published there as: “The U.S. Census Bureau and "Super Intelligence"”
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