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.