Elon Musk has projected that artificial intelligence could increase the United States' GDP growth to about 4 percent by 2027, up from the estimated 2 percent without the influence of technology. The 54-year-old billionaire shared his opinion on X, stating, "AI could double US GDP growth to 4% next year amid capital hurdles, maybe even more," although he did not provide specific reasoning for his estimate.
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This forecast notably exceeds the US Federal Reserve's latest prediction, released on September 16, which estimates GDP growth at a median of 2.4 percent for the upcoming year. Other expert predictions fall within a range of 2 to 2.9 percent.
Musk's comments arrive as the AI investment landscape faces significant challenges. A report from brokerage firm Dolat Capital highlights a shift from asset-light business models to substantial capital investments in AI, indicating that this cycle is entering a crucial macroeconomic phase. The report emphasizes that a more hawkish approach from central banks is complicating funding for investments that already require large capital outlays.
Additionally, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, US economic growth slowed to an annualized rate of 1.5 percent in the second quarter of 2026, down from 2.1 percent in the first quarter. Musk has consistently connected AI and automation to economic growth, previously estimating that AI could expand the global economy by 20 to 30 percent, adding $20 to $30 trillion in annual output.