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Semafor, in collaboration with Infosys, has released The Semafor View 2025 – a forward-looking report analyzing the state of AI and its impact on the global economy

Semafor, in collaboration with Infosys, unveiled The Semafor View 2025 at Semafor’s World Economy Summit – the largest gathering of Fortune 500 leaders in the U.S. The report offers insights into the forces shaping leadership, finance, geopolitics and technology in a time of complex and urgent global decisions.

While the world stands on the brink of profound transformation through AI, the report warns that progress must not come at the expense of the systems that have long supported innovation, stability and growth. Instead, it calls for thoughtful, strategic reform to guide the global economy toward a resilient and prosperous future.

Artificial intelligence is at an inflection point, brimming with potential yet fraught with hype. AI’s metamorphosis: from orchestration to innovation calls for a balanced approach—one that welcomes innovation while maintaining realistic expectations. Findings include:

AI Disruption: Speed Over Scale:

  • A new wave of agile, AI-native startups termed "vibers" are challenging traditional business models. These companies leverage AI tools for coding, design, marketing and customer support, enabling rapid product development and iteration.
  • Historically, large-scale operations protected incumbents. However, AI enables small teams to achieve significant market impact quickly, diminishing the protective advantage of scale.

AI’s Economic Impact:

  • Businesses utilizing AI for innovation report productivity improvements of 30–40 percent in knowledge-based roles.
  • Enterprises are allocating more resources to AI, with AI-related expenditures projected to consume 28 percent of technology budgets in 2025, up from 11 percent two years prior.

Labor Market Shifts:

  • AI is expected to displace 85 million jobs by 2026 but also create 97 million new roles, particularly favoring those adept at collaborating with AI systems.

Global AI Landscape:

  • Major tech companies are developing their own AI chips and data centers to reduce reliance on third-party providers, intensifying competition in the AI infrastructure space.

To read more from the Infosys Knowledge Institute, visit The Semafor View 2025.