# Economists expect AI gains to spread across G20 over next decade, survey says

Digest AI · Society & Work · published 2026-10-19T05:45:01Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/economists-expect-ai-gains-to-spread-across-g20-over-next-decade-surve

## Summary

A poll of 94 economists published by the Financial Times indicates that 54% expect artificial intelligence gains to spread across G20 nations over the next decade. The respondents anticipate that the economic benefits of the technology will reach far beyond the primary technology hubs in the US and China, boosting broader global growth.

However, 32 of the economists surveyed expect African countries to fall behind during this period. The findings highlight growing consensus among economists that artificial intelligence will drive international economic growth, while also raising concerns about an uneven distribution of progress between developed G20 economies and developing regions over the coming ten years.

The survey results emphasize that while major world economies may successfully absorb and benefit from AI advancements, lower-income regions face structural risks of lagging in global adoption and economic returns.

## Key points

- A Financial Times survey of 94 economists found 54% expect AI gains to spread across G20 nations.
- 32 of the surveyed economists expect African countries to fall behind over the next decade.
- Respondents expect AI economic benefits to reach beyond the US and China to boost broader growth.

## Why it matters

The survey indicates that top economists expect AI's macroeconomic benefits to extend across major global economies over the next decade, though developing regions risk being left behind.

## Sources

1. [Survey of 94 economists: 54% expect AI's gains to spread across the G20 over the next decade, not just the US and China; 32 see African countries falling behind](https://ft.com/content/c6aeb3a1-1874-4947-8ffc-4d993301244a) (ft.com, 2026-10-19)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Economists expect AI gains to spread across G20 over next decade, survey says", 19 October 2026, https://digestai.news/story/economists-expect-ai-gains-to-spread-across-g20-over-next-decade-surve

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