Understanding AI's Economic Impact
Right now, we're relying on metrics that tell us how AI is being used and traditional labor market indicators that track what's already happened. But these don't capture how people are experiencing the changes AI brings or what they expect to happen next. The thing is, AI's effects on jobs, productivity, and unemployment are still uncertain, and we need to hear from the people living through this transition to forecast what's coming.
Capturing Qualitative Data
The Anthropic Economic Index Survey aims to gather a rich corpus of qualitative data by asking Claude users about their experiences with AI, including changes they're seeing in their work, productivity gains, and shifts in hiring and roles. We'll also ask about their expectations for the future and what they hope a well-handled transition looks like. This effort complements a companion report that analyzed 81,000 open-ended survey responses collected through Anthropic Interviewer in December, which takes an economic lens to understanding AI's impact.
How the Survey Works
The survey launches today, and each month, a small, randomly selected group of Claude users with personal accounts at least two weeks old will be invited to participate. They'll see a banner on claude.ai or receive an email if they use Claude primarily on mobile. The sample will rotate monthly to hear from a broad range of people over time. Collected data will be analyzed in a privacy-preserving way, combined with Claude usage data, to surface changes before they show up in aggregate labor market data. For more information, check out the FAQ on the Anthropic website.
Frequently asked questions
To access the study, Claude users with accounts at least two weeks old may receive an invitation on claude.ai, the Cowork desktop app, or via email if they use Claude on mobile. The survey will ask about their work, changes they've noticed, and their expectations for the next year and beyond. Collected data will be used for economic research, publishing findings, and improving models and services, all according to Anthropic's Supplemental Privacy Policy. Users can learn more about the data usage and processing by visiting the Anthropic website. If they have further questions, they can reach out via the Help Center.
The Anthropic Economic Index Survey is a step towards understanding AI's economic impact. By gathering qualitative data from Claude users, we're getting a more nuanced view of how AI is changing the economy and what people expect to happen next. Look, the reality is that AI's effects are still uncertain, but by listening to those living through this transition, we can gain valuable insights.