AI is spreading rapidly, especially in the workplace. According to surveys, 46% of American workers have used AI a few times in the past year. As the AI industry rapidly expands, Ooma examined how quickly U.S. states are adopting artificial intelligence in the workplace with a data-driven snapshot of current usage and future expectations. Using U.S. Census Bureau survey data, the team’s work highlights geographic trends and broader implications for business as AI becomes more enmeshed in daily business dealings.

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The team’s research ranks states on two key metrics: current AI adoption (whether businesses have recently used AI tools) and projected adoption (whether businesses expect to use AI in the near future). These combined elements allow us to see not only where AI is already in use, but where momentum is building. The infographic provides a visual way to compare states and identify these patterns.

One of the most striking findings is that Colorado, Arizona, and Nevada lead the way in the current AI usage. Over one-fifth of his businesses have recently adopted AI. Colorado stands out as a top state, with 25% of businesses already using AI in some capacity. These tools can include machine learning, virtual assistants, natural language processing, and other AI capabilities, supplementing everyday business tasks such as data analysis, communication, and customer service.

The map also reveals that the same states dominate in projections for future AI use. Colorado and Arizona take top rankings once again. This suggests that early adopters are more likely to keep investing in AI and remain in their leadership positions. States like Utah and Texas ranked highly in future projections, indicating these are emerging areas for AI growth.

We can see states on the opposite end of the spectrum, lagging behind the leaders. West Virginia, Alaska, and parts of the Northeast report much lower levels of current and anticipated use. Even though it’s an economically robust and influential state, New York ranks low for adoption, showing that size and economic power don’t always indicate rapid AI growth.

The team’s work suggests that differences might be influenced by factors like industry composition, workforce skills, and access to tech infrastructure. States with strong technology sectors and a growing startup economy are the most likely to adopt AI quickly, while states with more traditional economies and heavy reliance on physical labor might have slower transitions.

Remember that AI adoption is still in the early stages. Even in leading states, only one in four businesses reports using AI, so there’s still a lot of room for growth. This aligns with broader trends showing AI is expanding rapidly, but it hasn’t yet reached saturation.

The article paints a picture of a fragmented but rapidly spreading AI landscape in the U.S. While some states lead the charge, widespread adoption is still rolling out and could shake up these rankings a lot in the coming years.

Tech is one of the world’s biggest industries, with many of the dominant Fortune 500 tech companies based in the United States. Four tech companies alone are worth trillions of dollars, and though the industry is full of rapid changes, it’s not going anywhere. The Pulse team examined locations around the country where key tech industries are booming and mapped their findings. The map shows that while Silicon Valley is the traditional home of the tech industry, there are growing tech centers around the country.

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One of the sectors spreading geographically is computing infrastructure and data services. Somerset, New Jersey, is the hub of this sector, with a significant employment increase between 2023 and 2024. Dense fiber networks and proximity to financial clients in New York City make New Jersey an ideal location for this sector. However, Ada County, Idaho, and a few counties in Maryland also support this sector.

As for custom computer programming services, the biggest hub is in Norfolk City, Virginia. There are several major software firms there, supported by the Norfolk Innovation Corridor, a “technology zone” that includes businesses, public works, hospitals, and universities. Tech startups here earn major tax incentives and other benefits. Georgia and Maine have growing centers of custom programming services too.

Software publishing is booming in the state of Texas. In Bexar, Texas, employment in this sector had doubled. San Antonio and Austin are also full of software publishing companies. Pittsburgh emerges as a hub for software publishing too, thanks to the University of Pittsburgh.

Web search portals and information services have a home in the New York City metropolitan area, particularly in Union and Essex counties. Multnomah County, Oregon, home of Portland, also has a healthy number of companies in this sector, along with many other types of creative and digital media companies.

Semiconductors are commonly manufactured in Williamson County, Texas, north of Austin. Samsung made a $17 billion investment in a semiconductor facility in Taylor, Texas, making the area a leader in the industry. NVIDIA, located in Santa Clara County, California, is another leader in this industry.

From Ohio to Maine, it’s clear that California doesn’t have the tech industry on lock. Many other cities have responded to the booming economy supported by thriving tech companies. Many cities have been totally revolutionized thanks to a major tech company opening its headquarters there. Tech businesses bring skilled workers with money to spend on many other local industries, so many communities welcome these companies with open arms.

Students and entrepreneurs can use data and maps like this to pinpoint where they may want to relocate for their job search or startup. Overall, this map offers a fascinating way to look at the state of the American tech industry by shifting our focus away from Silicon Valley and considering how tech could impact other states and cities in the future.

A new study by LLC Attorney examines the booming side-gig economy across the United States, identifying which states have seen the largest increases in freelance work and why. The piece introduces us to an expanding “Gig Economy” driven by apps and services like Uber, DoorDash, and Fiverr. These apps have made on-demand work accessible on a wide scale. While the side-gig economy is growing overall, the team shows that growth isn’t evenly distributed. Some states have far more gig workers than others.

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To get the data needed to create the map, the team analyzed year-over-year changes in the average monthly number of people holding a second side gig job and the growth of non-employer business establishments. Drawing on data from IPUMS CPS and the U.S. Census Bureau, the team created a color-coded map.

The top five states show us an interesting geographic picture. Oregon claimed the number one spot with a 24.2% rise in the average monthly number of people working a second gig job. Oregon has the highest number of gig workers in general. Nevada had one of the largest increases, at 25.7%, thanks to its tourism-heavy economy, which naturally generates demand for ride-sharing, Airbnb, and delivery services. Alaska takes third place, despite its smaller population. It had a 27.7% increase, while North Dakota follows in fourth with a 23.8% rise. Hawaii rounds up the top five with a huge 34.3% jump in residents working two jobs between 2022 and 2023.

These specific states lead the way because of two recurring issues. High costs of living, with rising costs of food, healthcare, and housing outpacing wage growth in these regions, lead more people to take on second jobs out of necessity. Hawaii has steep grocery and housing costs; Oregon and Nevada face similar cost-of-living issues.

These top-ranking states might appear to be thriving if we look at the Gig Economy numbers, but they have less diverse job markets, often relying on tourism. These seasonal and unpredictable jobs lead workers to seek ways to diversify their income.

The top ten states with the biggest gig economies are:

• Oregon
• Nevada
• Alaska
• North Dakota
• Hawaii
• South Carolina
• Delaware
• Rhode Island
• Virginia
• Massachusetts

Gig work can be convenient and a big asset to small business owners, but it also has downsides. Gig roles rarely include health insurance or benefits, income tends to be inconsistent, and the work is for people who don’t mind flying solo without coworker interaction. It does support independence and a flexible work schedule for people who value those qualities.

This map helps us understand the lasting changes the gig economy has had on the American economy. Side gig trends reflect how workers respond to economic changes, whether they face setbacks or opportunities. Side gigs create a fairly straightforward, low-effort way to make money, but they also drive steeper competition for jobs. Visualizing data can help us understand what drives economies and helps gig workers decide what opportunities will help them grow.