MARCH 28, 2024 — The U.S. Census Bureau today released data from the Business Trends and Outlook Survey (BTOS) and a new supplement measuring artificial intelligence (AI). The BTOS measures business conditions and projections on an ongoing basis. The supplemental questions are designed to provide insight into how widespread AI use is by businesses, the specific types of AI that businesses are using, how that use is impacting their employment, and how AI is changing the organization of their business. Businesses were asked about both current and future use of AI. Content from the AI supplement is only available in this cycle. In addition, the Census Bureau today also released new research on this topic.

BTOS data are representative of all employer businesses in the U.S. economy, excluding farms. The BTOS provides insight into the state of the economy by providing continuous, timely data for key economic measures every two weeks. By providing continuous data with geographic and subsector detail, the BTOS captures the impact of events like natural disasters and economic crises and assists in monitoring recovery efforts.

The BTOS sample consists of approximately 1.2 million businesses with biweekly data collection. Selected businesses are split into six panels (approximately 200,000 cases per panel) that will be asked to report every 12 weeks for a year. The Census Bureau estimates it takes the average respondent approximately nine minutes to complete the survey, including the time for reviewing the instructions and answers.  

BTOS data are released biweekly and available by sector, state and the 25 most populous metropolitan statistical areas. Survey results give local, state and federal officials essential, real-time data to aid in policymaking and decision-making. In addition, the information aids businesses in making economic decisions.

No news release associated with this announcement. Tip sheet only.

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