The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Productivity, Distribution and Growth (OECD)
Source: OECD (2024)
This report provides one of the most evidence-based views on how AI impacts productivity, job quality and economic growth. For New Zealand businesses, it reinforces an important point: AI’s benefits are real, but unevenly distributed. Organisations that invest in people, training and workflow redesign see the biggest gains. Those that adopt tools without capability uplift see far fewer improvements.
The core takeaway for NZ leaders is that AI is most powerful when it enhances people, not replaces them. With NZ’s long-standing productivity challenges, this report highlights how AI can materially improve performance if integrated thoughtfully.
Binary Refinery Summary
The OECD analyses empirical studies across multiple countries to understand how AI affects productivity, labour outcomes and economic performance. The focus is on real-world impacts rather than hype or theory.
Key Findings & Highlights
AI significantly improves productivity, especially for mid-skill workers.
Workers report better job satisfaction and reduced cognitive load.
Productivity gains require investment in training and supporting systems.
Benefits are uneven across industries, firms and roles.
AI drives innovation, entrepreneurship and new business models.
Report Strengths
Strong empirical foundation.
Balanced and credible analysis.
Useful for strategic planning and economic context.
Report Limitations
More focused on national-level policy than practical SMB operations.
Assumes a scale many NZ organisations do not have.
Does not fully address real-world adoption barriers in smaller markets.
Why Read It
Build realistic expectations for productivity uplift.
Understand how AI affects workers, capability and wellbeing.
Strengthen AI business cases with evidence, not assumptions.
Best For
CEOs • Strategy Leads • HR & People & Culture • Councils • Professional Services • Policy & Economic Analysts
