The global economy is entering a decisive phase of transformation. Artificial intelligence is no longer a future promise or a marginal innovation; it has become a central economic force reshaping patterns of growth, the organization of work, and value creation across sectors. The findings of PwC’s 29th Global CEO Survey depict a world characterized by high levels of short-term uncertainty alongside profound long-term structural change. These results point clearly to one reality: the economy of the future will be more technology-driven, more fragmented, and more closely tied to organizations’ ability to continually reinvent themselves than ever before.
An Economy Under Pressure, Yet in Motion
CEOs across 95 countries report a notable decline in confidence regarding short-term growth prospects. Macroeconomic volatility, geopolitical tensions, cybersecurity risks, and supply chain disruptions have become persistent features of the global economic landscape rather than temporary crises. Inflation, uncertainty around interest rate trajectories, and regional conflicts are reshaping investment priorities and risk management strategies.
Despite this instability, the prevailing climate has not led to hesitation or paralysis. On the contrary, many companies are accelerating transformation efforts. Rather than waiting for greater clarity, leaders are increasingly making decisions under conditions of uncertainty, recognizing that resilience and adaptability have become core economic assets.
Artificial Intelligence as a Structural Economic Force
One of the most striking findings of the survey is the central role of artificial intelligence in corporate strategy. CEOs continue to invest in AI even when immediate returns are not clearly visible. This reflects a fundamental shift in economic thinking, where AI is no longer viewed merely as a cost-cutting tool but as essential infrastructure, comparable in importance to electricity or the internet in earlier historical periods.
The AI-driven economy of the future will be characterized by productivity gains through automation, data-driven decision-making, and the emergence of new forms of value creation. Knowledge-intensive sectors such as healthcare, finance, logistics, and professional services are undergoing deep transformation. At the same time, AI is eroding traditional sector boundaries, enabling companies to enter new domains and redesign their business models.
Notably, PwC’s findings indicate that organizations moving more quickly along AI-enabled reinvention pathways are outperforming their peers. This suggests that competitive advantage in the coming decade will depend less on size or institutional legacy and more on the ability to integrate AI strategically and responsibly.
Reshaping Economic Sectors
The transformation identified in the survey extends beyond technology alone. CEOs increasingly anticipate the reshaping of economic sectors as companies move into adjacent or entirely new industries. Energy companies are becoming data-driven organizations, manufacturers are evolving into service providers, and healthcare institutions are embedding digital platforms and predictive analytics at the core of their operations.
This shift signals a more interconnected and modular economy, in which traditional sector classifications lose relevance while ecosystems, partnerships, and cross-sector collaboration gain importance. Economic competitiveness will increasingly depend on connectivity, innovation, and human skills rather than solely on physical assets.
What Kind of Economy Is Emerging?
Taken together, the findings suggest that the future economy will exhibit several defining characteristics:
An AI-enabled productivity economy, where growth is driven more by intelligent systems than by labor expansion alone.
An economy of continuous reinvention, requiring constant adaptation for organizational survival.
A more polarized labor market, with rising demand for digital, analytical, and relational skills alongside declining demand for routine work.
A high-risk economy, in which cybersecurity resilience, data governance, and geopolitical awareness are essential to stability.
A purpose- and responsibility-driven economy, where stakeholders expect organizations to balance innovation with trust, ethics, and social responsibility.
Leadership in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
PwC uses a compelling metaphor to describe effective leadership today: leaders must wield both a microscope and a telescope. The microscope is needed to manage immediate risks, operational pressures, and workforce transitions. The telescope, meanwhile, is essential for identifying long-term opportunities, investing responsibly in AI, and positioning organizations competitively within a rapidly evolving global economy.
Leaders who successfully achieve this dual balance do more than respond to change; they actively shape the future economic system by embedding technology into strategy, prioritizing innovation, and redefining the meaning of growth in an era of uncertainty.
Conclusion
The age of artificial intelligence does not produce a single, easily predictable economic outcome. Instead, it creates a dynamic and uneven landscape where opportunities and risks coexist. PwC’s 29th Global CEO Survey underscores a clear truth: the economy of the future will reward those who move early, think systemically, and lead with clarity and vision amid uncertainty.
Economic Studies Unit – North America Office
Center for Linkage Studies and Strategic Research