Heavy AI Spenders Added 10 Percent Head Count but Showed No Consistent Productivity Gains

Companies that spent the most on AI tools increased their head count by 10.2 percent in the two years after adoption, according to a study published Tuesday by Ramp and Revelio Labs. The research tracked workforce records at 22,000 U.S. firms and their AI enterprise spending from January 2021 to February 2026.

Entry-level hiring at the highest-intensity adopters rose 12 percent over the same period. Business Insider reported that the biggest AI spenders, defined as firms paying about $34 per employee per month, were typically larger, more likely to be venture-backed, and already growing faster than peers.

Much of the added hiring occurred in the information sector, which covers internet, media, and technology-related companies.

Gains appeared across job categories, including engineering, sales, administration, and customer service. Several firms that announced layoffs this year cited AI as a factor. " Business Insider reporting by Juliana Kaplan and Jacob Zinkula noted that efficiency gains from AI have not consistently produced higher overall productivity, revenue growth, or profits.

The study authors advised young job seekers to select firms already using the technology when choosing between otherwise similar employers.