AI and the Real Economy: An Introduction to Who Wins and Who Loses
By
Better Markets
Summary
This is the introductory post of a series examining how artificial intelligence is reshaping the real economy—jobs, savings, loans, energy bills, and local banking. It argues that AI's economic impact is undeniable, citing that AI investment roughly doubled in 2025 to ~$580 billion, with generative-AI funding more than quadrupling. The series promises to explore who captures the gains and who bears the costs of this transformation.
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Key quotes
· 4 pulledThere is no serious argument left about whether artificial intelligence is reshaping the economy.
The money settles that question on its own.
Investment in AI companies roughly doubled over the course of 2025 to around $580 billion.
Generative-AI funding more than quadrupled over the same period.
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