Published by the McKinsey Global Institute in June 2023, this study analyzes 63 generative AI use cases across 850 occupations and 2,100 work activities in 47 countries. It estimates generative AI could add $2.6 to $4.4 trillion annually to the global economy, rising to $7.9 trillion when including broader software integration, and that current AI could automate work activities absorbing 60 to 70 percent of employee time.
Despite its 2023 publication date, the report remains one of the most frequently cited foundational estimates of generative AI's aggregate economic potential, still widely referenced in 2026 industry and policy discussions.